Samidoun is one of over 250 signatories to the following statement, coordinated by the European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine (ECCP):
A call from organizations throughout Europe
2017 marks:
- 100 years since the « Balfour Declaration » of 1917, through which the British government unilaterally promised the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine;
- 70 years since the partition plan of Palestine, adopted by the UN in 1947, which resulted in the 1948 Nakba, the demolition of more than 530 Palestinian villages and the expulsion of 750 000 Palestinians from their homeland, thus a process of ethnic cleansing;
- 50 years since the beginning of Israel’s occupation in 1967 of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights, and an ongoing process of colonization and prolonged occupation by the State of Israel.
The continued dispossession of Palestinians of their land and their livelihood, including house demolition, land confiscation and apartheid wall; the denial of their culture and memory; the ten-year Gaza blockade creating severe inhuman conditions along with the recurrent military attacks on its population; the constant repression, resulting presently in over 7000 prisoners including more than 400 children held in military detention; the disastrous plight of Palestinian refugees further worsened by the war in Syria; and the draconian discriminatory laws in Israel itself: these facts, the fruits of over 100 years of denial of the rights of the Palestinian people, can no longer be accepted.
The anniversaries marked by the year 2017 remind us of the degree to which the colonial mindset, the denial of the rights of the Palestinian people, and the refusal to apply international law and UN resolutions lead to disaster.
These dates highlight the responsibility of European and Western countries for the existence of this situation, as well as the powerlessness into which the European Union has trapped itself, as it parades the principles of respect for international law without taking the measures to enforce them.
These dates remind us, also, that the building of peace cannot occur by ignoring the historic facts; and that to recognize History is the responsibility of all parties, first and foremost the Israeli State and people, contrary to the revisionist policy constantly promoted by Israel and pushed to the extreme by its current government. The European States were actors in the colonial system between the two World Wars; they made Palestine carry the consequences of the monstrous genocide of the European Jews by the Nazis; and subsequently they did nothing to require that Israel respect UN resolutions; they, too, must acknowledge the great responsibility that they bear in the tragedy endured by the Palestinian people today.
We call upon the EU and European States:
- to make 2017 the year that the rights of the Palestinian people become a reality, in a binding timetable: the right to self-determination, the end of the occupation of all the West Bank including East Jerusalem and of the Gaza Strip, the right to equality for all citizens of Israel, and the right of return for all Palestinian refugees in the way of their choosing;
- to cease all complicity with continued settlement activity and the myriad ways that Israel violates international law; and to demand an immediate end of the blockade of the Gaza Strip, and freedom of movement for Palestinians;
- to take binding measures vis-à-vis the State of Israel, so long as it continues to violate international and human rights law, including the suspension of the EU’s Association Agreement with Israel until Israel complies with international law; to begin with, military and security cooperation – poorly concealed within several projects of the Horizon 2020 program – must be suspended immediately.
We, the undersigned, European civil society organizations, associations, political parties, and unions, solemnly reaffirm that in 2017, after 100 years of dispossession, denial, and ethnic cleansing, the rights of the Palestinian people must, at last, be respected.
Each with our respective views, we commit to act towards this goal, with the belief that a sustainable peace can only be achieved through enforcement of international law.
Signatories:
1. ECCP – European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine
2. Transform! Europe
3. PHM – Europe (People’s Health Movement)
4. Frauen in Schwarz (Wien), Austria
5. SODePAZ – Basque country
6. Internazionalistak Auzolanean – Basque country
7. ASOCIACI√ìN BILADI – Basque country
8. Fundacion Mundubat, Basque country
9. PVDA/PTB – political party, Belgium
10. CNCD-11.11.11 – NGO platform, Belgium
11. 11.11.11 – NGO platform, Belgium
12. Broederlijk Delen – NGO, Belgium
13. Pax Christi – Flanders – NGO, Belgium
14. Solidarité socialiste – NGO, Belgium
15. Mouvement Ouvrier Chrétien, Belgium
16. Comac, Belgium
17. G3W–M3M – NGO, Belgium
18. Intal, Belgium
19. Association Belgo-Palestinienne WB, Belgium
20. Palestina Solidariteit, Belgium
21. Union des Progressistes Jiufs de Begique, Belgium
22. Vrede vzw, Belgium
23. Agir pour la Paix, Belgium
24. CADTM Belgique (Comité pour l’Abolition des Dettes illégitimes), Belgium
25. BACBI – Belgian Campaign For An Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, Belgium
26. Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, Belgium
27. Plate-forme Charleroi-Palestine, Belgium
28. Solidarity With Bedouins Committee, Belgium
29. PJPO Ittre, Belgium
30. Via Velo Palestina, Belgium
31. Les Amis du Monde Diplomatique, Belgium
32. Composantes de la Communauté Arabe de Belgique – CoCABe, Belgium
33. V-SB (Vlaams-Socialistische Beweging)
34. Croiseregard asbl. Belgium
35. International Solidarity Movement, Czech Republic group
36. Finnish-Arab Friendship Society, Finland
37. The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD)– Finland
38. EELV (Europe Ecologie les Verts) – political party, France
39. Ensemble – political party, France
40. Parti Communiste Français – political party, France
41. Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste (NPA), political party, France
42. Parti des Indigènes de la République – political party, France
43. Federation Syndicale Unitaire – trade union federation, France
44. Union syndicale Solidaires – trade union, France
45. La Cimade, France
46. CCFD-Terre Solidaire, France
47. CEMEA Association Nationale, France
48. AFPS (Association France Palestine Solidarite), France
49. Plateforme des ONG françaises pour la Palestine, France
50. MRAP (Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l’Amitie entre les peuples), France
51. Mouvement de la Paix, France
52. Union Juive Française pour la Paix, France
53. BDS France
54. Mouvement pour une Alternative Non-violente (MAN), France
55. Femmes Egalité, France
56. Collectif Judeo Arabe et Citoyen pour la Palestine, France
57. Collectif Interuniversitaire pour la Cooperation avec les Universites Palestiniennes, France
58. CVPR-PO, France
59. La Forge, France
60. AJPF, France
61. CPPI Saint-Denis [Collectif Paix Palestine Israel], France
62. PHM France
63. Centre for Global Education, France
64. Espaces Marx, France
65. AURDIP (Association des Universitaires pour le Respect du Droit International en Palestine Union syndicale Solidaires), France
66. CJPP5 Comité Justice et Paix en Palestine et au Proche-Orient 5eme PG, France
67. Droit Solidarité, France
68. MJCF Mouvement Jeunes Communistes de France, France
69. UTIT Union des Travailleurs Immigrés Tunisiens, France
70. LA COURNEUVE-PALESTINE, France
71. Association des Travailleurs Maghrébins de France (ATMF), France
72. Terre des Hommes France, France
73. Association « Pour Jérusalem », France
74. Atelier Israël Palestine du GAIC : Groupe d’Amitié Islamo Chrétienne, France
75. The Fédération Artisans du Monde, France
76. Forum Palestine Citoyenneté, France
77. Participation et Spiritualité Musulmanes, France
78. AILES femmes du Maroc, France
79. Pax Christi Erding-Dorfen – NGO, Germany
80. Bundesarbeitskreis der LINKEN Gerechter Frieden in Nahost – Federal Working Group on “Just Peace in the Middle East”), Germany
81. DIE LINKE. Niedersachsen LAG Gerechter Frieden Nahost – State Working Group Lower Saxony on “Just Peace in the Middle East”), Germany
82. Jewish Voice of Peace, Germany
83. German-Palestinian Association e.V., Germany
84. Palästinakomitee Stuttgart, Germany
85. Jewish-Palestinian Dialogue Group Munich, Germany
86. AK Nahost Berlin, Germany
87. Arbeitskreis Palästina, Nürnberg, Germany
88. Attac rhein-sieg, Germany
89. BDS Berlin, Germany
90. BDS Hamburg, Germany
91. BDS-Gruppe Bonn, Germany
92. « Das Palästina Portal », Germany
93. Deutsch-Palästinensische Gesellschaft Bremen e.V., Germany
94. Deutsch-Palästinensische Gesellschaft, Regionalgruppe Düsseldorf, Germany
95. Deutsch-Palästinensische Gesellschaft Nordrhein-Westfalen (Süd), Germany
96. Deutsch-Palästinensische Gesellschaft e.v. Regionalgruppe Ruhrgebiet, Germany
97. Deutscher Freidenker-Verband; Landesverband Hessen, Germany
98. German Freethinkers Association, Germany
99. Frauennetzwerk für Frieden e.V., Germany
100. Frauen wagen Frieden (Projektgruppe in der evangelischen Frauenarbeit der Pfalz), Germany
101. Gesellschaft zur Humanitären Unterstützung der Palästinenser e.V., Germany
102. Israel-Palästina Solidaritätskreis Darmstadt, Germany
103. Keep Hope Alive, Germany
104. Palästina/Nahost-Initiative Heidelberg, Germany
105. Solidarität International e.V., Germany
106. The European Alliance in Defence of Palestinian Detainees, Germany
107. Union of Palestinian Communities, Institutions and Activities in Europe, Germany
108. Vitaminepalestine, Germany
109. Fiom-Cgil – trade union, Italy
110. Confederazione Cobas – trade union, Italy
111. ARCI, Italy
112. ArciMilano, Italy
113. ArciLombardia, Italy
114. AssopacePalestina, Italy
115. Associazione di Amicizia Italo-Palestinese Onlus, Italy
116. Associazione per la Pace, Italy
117. Associazione Oltre il Mare, Italy
118. BDS Italia, Italy
119. BDS Italia / Coordinamento campagna BDS Bologna, Italy
120. BDS Ravenna, Italy
121. Cultura è Libertà, Italy
122. Comitato Pistoiese per la Palestina, Italy
123. Donne in nero, Italia, Italy
124. Italia-Cuba Milano, Italy
125. Le radici e le ali Onlus Milano, Italy
126. Libera, associazioni nomi e numeri contro le mafie, Italy
127. Rete ECO (Ebrei contro l’occupazione), Italy
128. Rete romana di solidarietà con il popolo palestinese, Italy
129. Rete Radiè Resch – Gruppo di Udine, Italy
130. Salaam Ragazzi dell’Olivo-comitato di Mlano-Onlus, Italy
131. Servizio civile Internazionale, Italy
132. Statunitensi contro la guerra/U.S. Citizens Against War (Florence), Italy
133. Un Ponte per, Italy
134. Ulaia Arte sud, Italy
135. Women in culture, Italy
136. WILPF Italia (Women international league for peace and freedom), Italy
137. AWMR (Donne della regione mediterranea), Italy
138. Reti di pace – Laboratorio Monteverde Roma, Italy
139. Make An Impact Association ONLUS, Italy
140. GAZZELLA onlus, Italy
141. Trócaire – development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Ireland
142. Mandate – the trade union for retail, bar and admin workers in Ireland
143. Communications Workers Union of Ireland – trade union, Ireland
144. Communication Workers Union Northern Ireland Region – trade union, Ireland
145. Derry Trades Union Council – trade union, Ireland
146. Sinn Féin – political party, Ireland
147. Communist Party of Ireland’ political party, Ireland
148. Action from Ireland (Afri), Ireland
149. Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Ireland
150. Sadaka – the Ireland Palestine Alliance, Ireland
151. Trade Union Friends of Palestine, Ireland
152. Gaza Action Ireland, Ireland
153. Academics for Palestine, Ireland
154. Centre for Global Education, Ireland
155. The People’s Movement, Ireland
156. Jewish Voice for Just Peace, Ireland
157. Irish Anti-War Movement, Ireland
158. Peace and Neutrality Alliance, Ireland
159. Anti-Racism Network Ireland , Ireland
160. United Against Racism, Ireland
161. The Ireland Institute, Ireland
162. Workers Solidarity Movement, Ireland
163. Comité pour une paix juste au Proche-Orient, Luxembourg
164. FNCTTFEL – Landesverband, Luxembourg
165. Scotish Friends of Palestine – Scotland
166. Združena levica parliamentary group (ZL) – political party, Slovenia
167. Institute for Western Sahara studies – NGO, Slovenia
168. Institute Abraham – NGO, Slovenia
169. Drustvo Humanitas, Slovenia
170. Slovak Initiative for a Just Peace in the Middle East – Slovakia
171. Confederacion General del Trabajo CGT – trade union, Spain
172. Izquierda Unida – political party, Spain
173. Partido Comunista de España (PCE) – political party, Spain
174. Communist Youth Union of Spain, Spain
175. Coordinadora Valenciana de ONGD, Spain
176. Anticapitalistas, Spain
177. Asociacion Paz con Dignidad, Spain
178. Årea Paz y Solidaridad Izquierda Unida Toledo Provincial, Spain
179. Palestina Toma La Calle, Madrid, Spain
180. CAUM (Club de Amigos de la Unesco), Spain
181. Plataforma Córdoba por Palestina, Spain
182. ASPA, Asociación Andaluza por la Solidaridad y la Paz, Spain
183. Plataforma Solidaria con Palestina de Valladolid, Spain
184. Asociación Transformando Madrid, Spain
185. UNADIKUM España, Spain
186. Moviment 15M Sabadell, Spain
187. Comité de Solidaridad con la Causa Árabe (CSCA), Spain
188. Yayoflautas Madrid, Spain
189. Coordinadora Andalucía con Palestina, Spain
190. HILOMBÉ SOLIDARIDAD, Spain
191. Rumgo a Gaza, Spain
192. CERAI, Spain
193. Transformando, S. Coop. Mad., Spain
194. Tierra y Culturas, Spain
195. Al-Quds Association for Solidarity with People in Arab Countries, Spain
196. Plaza de los Pueblos 15M Madrid, Spain
197. ALQUDS, Spain
198. Plataforma Solidaria por Palestina Valladolid, Spain
199. NitDempeusBCN, Spain
200. Asociacion Paz con Dignidad, Spain
201. Colectivo de Solidaridad con Palestina Al’Madafa, Spain
202. Palestina Toma la Calle, Madrid, Spain
203. Coordinadora Vallés Occ. 15M, Spain
204. Asociación de la Comunidad Hispano – Palestina « JERUSALÉN », Spain
205. Moviment 15M Sabadell, Spain
206. ASOCIACIÓN BILADI, Spain
207. CATNPUD, Spain
208. Asociación Médica Hispano Palestina, Spain
209. NOVACT – International Institute for Nonviolent Action , Spain
210. RESCOP – coalition that consists of:,
1. Al’Madafa
2.Anticapitalistas
3. Asociación Al-Quds de Solidaridad con los Pueblos del Mundo Árabe (Málaga)
4. Asociación de Amistad Palestina-Granada «Turab»
5. Asociación Andaluza por la Solidaridad y la Paz – ASPA
6. Asociación Hispano Palestina Jerusalén (Madrid)
7. Asociación Palestina Biladi
8. Asociación Pau Ara y Sempre
9. Asociación Pro-Derechos Humanos de Andalucía
10. Asociación ProPalestina del Campo de Gibraltar
11. Asociación Unadikum
12. BDS Alacant
13. BDS Catalunya
14. BDS Granada
15. BDS Madrid
16. BDS País Valencià
17. Castelló per Palestina
18. Centro de Estudios Rurales y de Agricultura Internacional (CERAI)
19. Coalició Prou Complicitat amb Israel
20. Comité de Solidaridad con la Causa Árabe (Madrid, Asturias)
21. Comité de Solidaridad con los Pueblos – Interpueblos (Cantabria)
22. Comunidad Palestina en Canarias
23. Comunitat Palestina de Catalunya
24. Comunitat Palestina de València
25. Coordinadora de apoyo a Palestina (La Rioja)
26. Ecologistas en Acción (Confederal)
27. Fundación IEPALA
28. Fundación Mundubat
29. Grupo de Cooperación Sevilla Palestina
30. Hilombé Solidaridad
31. Izquierda Anticapitalista Revolucionaria (IZAR)
32. Komite Internazionalistak (Euskal Herria)
33. MEWANDO (Euskadi)
34. Movimiento de Jóvenes Palestinos
35. Mujeres en Zona de Conflicto – M.Z.C.
36. Mujeres por la Paz – Acción Solidaria con Palestina (Canarias)
37. Pallasos en Rebeldía
38. Paz Ahora
39. Paz con Dignidad
40. Plataforma de Solidaridad con Palestina (Sevilla)
41. Plataforma Palestina Ibiza
42. Plataforma Solidaria con Palestina de Valladolid
43. Palestina Toma la Calle
44. Red Judía Antisionista Internacional (IJAN)
45. Sodepau
46. Sodepaz
47. Sodepaz Balamil
48. Taula per Palestina (Illes Balears)
49. Unión de Juventudes Comunistas de España (UJCE)
211. Parti suisse du Travail – political party, Switzerland
212. Communist Party – political party, Switzerland
213. Housing and Land Rights Network, Switzerland
214. BDS Switzerland, Switzerland
215. Gerechtigkeit und Frieden in Palästina, Switzerland
216. Collectif Urgence Palestine Vaud, Switzerland
217. BDS Zuerich, Switzerland
218. Berner Mahnwache für einen gerechten Frieden in Israel/Palästina, Switzerland
219. Women in Black [Vrouwen in het Zwart Nederland], The Netherlands
220. Palestijnse gemeenschap in nederlad, The Netherlands
221. Diensten en Onderzoek Centrum Palestina (docP), The Netherlands
222. Nederlandse-Filippijnse Solidariteitsbeweging, The Netherlands
223. Nederlands arabische stichting nas, The Netherlands
224. EMCEMO, The Netherlands
225. Internationale Socialisten, The Netherlands
226. A’idoun, The Netherlands
227. Breed Platform Palestina, The Netherlands
228. Stichting Palestijnse Vrouwen in Nederland, The Netherlands
229. Stichting Groningen-Jabalya, The Netherlands
230. Nederlandse-Filippijnse Solidariteitsbeweging, The Netherlands
231. Diensten en Onderzoek Centrum Palestina (docP), The Netherlands
232. Netherlands Palestine Committee (NPK), The Netherlands
233. Palestine Workinggroup FNV, The Netherlands
234. Stichting Kairos Sabeel Nederland, The Netherlands
235. Christian Peacemaker Teams – Netherlands, The Netherlands
236. SAP/Grenzeloos, The Netherlands
237. Plant een Olijfboom, The Netherlands
238. Palestina Komitee Nijmegen, The Netherlands
239. The Norwegian United Federation of Trade Unions Department 850, Oslo Graphic Workers Union – trade union federation, Norway
240. Industri Energi – trade union, Norway
241. Norwegian Transport Workers’ Union – trade union, Norway
242. LO i Oslo – trade union, Norway
243. NNN Oslo og Akershus – trade union, Norway
244. The Red Party (Rødt) – political party, Norway
245. Rød Ungdom – political party youth organisation , Norway
246. The Association of Norwegian NGOs for Palestine – umbrella of NGOs, Norway
247. Kairos Britain – NGO platform, UK
248. Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK
249. Europal Forum-UK
250. The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions UK – ICAHD UK
251. Liberal Democrats Friends of Palestine, UK
252. The Palestinian Return Centre, UK
253. Friends of Sabeel UK, UK
254. Muslim Association of Britain, UK
255. LibDem Friends of Palestine, UK
256. Make Apartheid History, UK
257. Amos Trust, UK
258. Palestinian Forum in Britain, UK