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Berlin bans Nakba commemorations: United against Repression – United for Freedom and Justice

In an outrageous attack on Palestinian rights, memory and even identity, the police in Berlin, the capital of Germany, have banned all public commemorations of the 74th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, when over 750,000 Palestinians were forced from their homes and lands by Zionist militias. The Nakba is commemorated on 15 May, known as Nakba Day or the Day of Palestinian Struggle. Events are being organized throughout Palestine and globally.

The events banned by the police include two marches, two awareness-raising tents and a cultural gathering, scheduled for 13, 14 and 15 May. Samidoun Deutschland was the organizer of one of the cancelled marches, Palestine Speaks the organizer of another, and the cultural event was organized by a group of Palestinian community organizations. After the ban, an application for a memorial vigil for Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh — shot dead by Israeli occupation forces — was also prohibited as a “replacement for the banned events.” At the same time that Palestinians have been banned from commemorating the Nakba and 74 years of dispossession and struggle at the risk of arrest and prosecution, the Berlin Senate is providing public funding for an event on 15 May by Zionist groups that labels BDS and Amnesty International “anti-Semitic.” Berlin is home to one of the largest Palestinian communities in Europe, repeatedly labeled as “emotional” in the documents presented by the police to organizing groups as a reason for banning the Nakba commemorations.

This follows a series of attacks on Palestinian rights in Germany, many perpetrated by Berlin officials, including the banning of an event with Khaled Barakat (later ruled illegal by a German court), the political ban and deportation of Rasmea Odeh, and a series of repressive efforts directed at advocates for the boycott of Israel and justice in Palestine. Just two weeks ago, Berlin police also banned Palestine demonstrations on 29-30 April, on the same type of dubious basis. Read the following statement distributed by the affected groups in Germany — email us at samidoun@samidoun.net to add your support!

United against Repression – United for Freedom and Justice

May 15 is Nakba Day – a day of remembrance of the expulsion of Palestinians, a day of struggle against ongoing Zionist settlement colonialism, a day of unbroken Palestinian resistance and a day of international solidarity.

As has taken place and escalated over the past year, massive repression is being directed against Palestinian groups and demonstrations in Berlin. The authorities want to prevent thousands of people from pouring into the streets of the capital, the site of the largest Palestinian community in Europe. As a result, numerous demonstrations by various groups planned for next Sunday’s Nakba Day have been banned! 

This outrageous assault on Palestinian memory and Palestinian lives is a racist act of discrimination. In their justifications of the bannings Berlin police repeatedly declare that Palestinians are “emotional” about the killing of their people and the confiscation of their land. The labeling of legitimate Palestinian anger and commitment to pursue justice in the face of over 100 years of colonialism as a “threat to public safety” is an abhorrent act of censorship.

As a flimsy reason for the bans, the authorities also accuse all demonstrations being held to commemorate the Nakba in Berlin, and even the entire Palestine movement, of anti-Semitism across the board. The face of the German repressive apparatus is clearly shown in these measures: all means should be used to prevent international solidarity from breaking out. Because the state fears a broad anti-imperialist movement that, beyond solidarity with the Palestinian liberation struggle, focuses on Germany’s complicity and its own imperialist interests.

We do not accept these prohibitions! Nakba Day is our day of struggle and we resolutely stand united against repression. As the German state and media seek to denigrate and divide us, we join forces and defend our common right to send a strong signal from the streets of Berlin to our brothers and sisters in Palestine and around the world: Our struggle for the Freedom is a just fight! Our fight against imperialism is a just fight! We call on all groups in solidarity with Palestine and those fighting against imperialism around the world to join us and to stand up to repression.

Long live international solidarity!

Signing Groups

  • Samidoun Netzwerk
  • F.O.R. Palestine
  • Kommunistischer Aufbau
  • Young Struggle
  • Revolutionärer Jugendbund
  • Migrantifa – Berlin
  • Linksjugend Solid Nord-Berlin
  • SDAJ – Berlin
  • Rot feministische Jugend
  • Palästina Antikolonial
  • Free Palestine FFM
  • Palästina Spricht
  • Klasse gegen Klasse
  • Gruppe Arbeiter:innenmacht
  • Acciones Berlin
  • Revolution
  • Kommunistische Organisation
  • Solidaritätsnetzwerk
  • Internationale Jugend Berlin
  • FACQ
  • Palästinakomitee Stuttgart
  • Netzwerk Freiheit für alle politischen Gefangenen
  • ATIK (Konföderation der Arbeiter*innen aus der Türkei in Europa)
  • YDG (Neue Demokratische Jugend)
  • Yeni Kadin (Neue Frau)
  • BDS Deutschland
  • Kampagne Rise Up 4 Rojava
  • Wattan

International Supporters

Europe

  • Alkarama (Movimiento de mujeres palestinas)
  • Collectif Palestine Vaincra
  • Secours Rouge Toulouse
  • International Jewish Antizionist Network IJAN
  • Jewish Voice for Labour (UK)
  • Jewish Network for Palestine
  • Jeunes pour la Palestine – Nantes
  • CAPJPO-Europalestine
  • Classe Contre Classe
  • Secours Rouge International/Red Help International
  • Palestinian Youth Movement Sweden
  • Europe Network for Justice and Peace in the Philippines
  • April 28 Coalition for Migrants and Refugees Rights and Welfare
  • Union Juive Française pour la Paix
  • Plate-forme Charleroi-Palestine
  • Revolution Permanente
  • Dutch Scholars for Palestine
  • Revolutionaire Eenheid
  • Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle
  • Al Yudur – Juventud Palestina
  • Col·lectiu Intifada
  • Jeunes Communistes 13
  • Collectif Boycott Apartheid Israël – Paris Banlieue

Brazil

  • Juventude palestina – Sanaúd
  • CSP-Conlutas
  • Frente Palestina Livre
  • Centro cultural palestino Aljaniah
  • Partido Comunista Brasileiro – PCB
  • Partido Socialista dos Trabalhadores Unificado – PSTU
  • Partido Socialismo e Liberdade / Movimento Esquerda Socialista
  • União da Juventude Comunista – UJC
  • Liga de Parlamentarios por Al-Quds
  • Unidade Popular pelo Socialismo – UP
  • Monitor do Oriente
  • Amigos de Palestina
  • Fórum Latino Palestino
  • Articulação Internacional Julho Negro
  • Iniciativa Direito à Memória e Justiça Racial
  • Comitês Islâmicos de Solidariedade
  • Instituto de Estudos e Solidariedade para Palestina – Razan Al Najjar
  • Movimento pela Libertação da Palestina – Ghassan Kanafani

Lebanon

  • Palestinian Chess Forum – Shatila camp
  • Palestinian Cultural Club – Beirut
  • Palestinian Arab Cultural Club
  • The Naqab Center for Youth Activities – Burj Al-Barajneh Camp

North America

  • Socialist Action / Ligue pour l’Action socialiste
  • Within Our Lifetime — United for Palestine
  • Just Peace Advocates
  • GPM – GTA Palestine Movement
  • Freedom Road Socialist Organization
  • Canada Palestine Association
  • Al-Awda, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition
  • Committee of Anti-Imperialists in Solidarity with Iran
  • International League of Peoples’ Struggle
  • Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle – Coast Salish Territories
  • Oakville Palestinian Rights Association
  • Palestinian Youth Movement
  • Jews for Palestinian Right of Return
  • April 28 Coalition for Migrants and Refugees Rights and Welfare
  • Canadian BDS Coalition
  • National Lawyers Guild International
  • Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians
  • Canada Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights
  • Gabriela BC
  • Sulong UBC
  • Human Rights 4 All Saskatchewan
  • Palestine Solidarity Network Edmonton
  • Edmonton Small Press Association
  • Friends of Sabeel North America
  • Migrante BC
  • Palestinian and Jewish Unity – Montreal
  • Peace Alliance Winnipeg
  • Justice for Palestinians, Calgary
  • Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid Victoria Canada
  • Niagara Coalition for Justice
  • US Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel
  • Labor for Palestine
  • Greater Toronto 4 BDS
  • Academics for Palestine – Concordia

Palestinian prisoners salute Shireen Abu Aqleh, demand justice and accountability for assassinated journalist

Palestinian political prisoners in occupation prisons expressed their collective mourning and outrage at the Israeli assassination of beloved Palestinian journalist, the martyr Shireen Abu Aqleh, reporter for Al Jazeera, who was shot in the head by occupation forces as she covered an invasion of Jenin camp in the early morning hours of Wednesday, 11 May. At the same time, her colleague, journalist Ali Samoudi, was shot in the back and wounded. Throughout Palestine and around the world, Palestinians, Arabs and supporters of Palestine have expressed an outpouring of anger and mourning for Abu Aqleh, whose truthful and committed reporting on decades of Palestinian struggle and Israeli attacks had been a mainstay of homes everywhere.

Political organizations, journalists, media groups, social and cultural groups and individuals have all expressed their love for Abu Aqleh’s work and principles and their dedication to seek true justice and accountability for her assassination and the systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists and truth-tellers.

The assault on Abu Aqleh has not ended with the taking of her life. Thousands of Palestinians have taken to the streets in mourning and salute to Abu Aqleh, and on Thursday evening, 12 May, occupation forces attacked the church hosting her funeral, attempting to lower the Palestinian flag while blocking her funeral procession as it arrived in Beit Hanina, Jerusalem. One woman’s was fractured by occupation forces attacking the funeral, and Abu Aqleh’s brother, Anton, was summoned for interrogation.

Inside the occupation prisons, Palestinian prisoners have joined in this national celebration of Abu Aqleh’s work and outrage at the theft of her life.

Palestinian women in Damon prison issued the following message:

We, the women prisoners in Damon prison, offer our deepest condolences to the entire Palestinian people and to the press colleagues and family of the martyr in particular.

We, as prisoners, consider the targeting of journalist Shireen as targeting the truth-tellers and supporters of the cause of our people, including the cause of the prisoners’ movement, in which the media plays a meaningful role, in addition to exposing the reality of the occupation and its brutal practices against our people, whether through killing, demolishing homes or arrests. The martyrdom of the outstanding journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh must not pass without accountability and must motivate the conscience of the world to hold the killers accountable, those who have targeted Shireen and the Palestinian people in general.

The Palestinian prisoners’ movement throughout occupation prisons announced that Thursday, 12 May is a day of mourning in all of the sections in the occupation prisons. In a statement carried by the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society, the prisoners’ movement declared:

“The martyr journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh carried the cause of the homeland and our cause, that of the prisoners, on her shoulders. Today her people carry her on their shoulders. We are there from inside the cells and behind the walls. We will carry you in our hearts and memories as you have always been with us.”

There are over 4,500 Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli occupation prisons, including 600 jailed without charge or trial under administrative detention. Dozens of Palestinian journalists are among that number, as are 32 women.

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Shireen Abu Aqleh joins a long line of Palestinian martyrs whose lives have been taken by a colonial force attempting its futile effort to defeat the Palestinian people. Her legacy, like that of all of the martyrs of Palestine, must inspire all to organize, struggle and resist for the liberation of Palestine, its prisoners and its people, and to turn our eyes to Jenin, a daily site of assassinations, extrajudicial killings, armed raids, home demolitions and relentless occupation assaults — and a daily site of an undaunted and undefeated resistance that continues to struggle for justice and freedom, to defend the land and people from colonial aggression.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network urges all to salute the martyrs of Palestine and their aspirations by joining the marches and rallies for Palestine around the world marking the 74th commemoration of the Nakba, the Day of Palestinian Struggle, and the ongoing movement for liberation and return. See the list of actions here. 

New podcast: Khaled Barakat and anti-Palestinian smear campaigns on Security in Context

Description from the Security in Context Podcast:

Khaled Barakat is a Palestinian-Canadian activist and writer, currently based in Vancouver, who was recently subjected to a media and political campaign aimed at silencing him and those fighting for Palestinian rights in Canada. Attempts to criminalize Barakat originated in an article published in the right-wing newspaper The National Post, and quickly became subject of debate in the Canadian Senate, with a conservative senator going so far as to asking the government to expel Barakat, a Canadian citizen, from the country. The campaign against Khaled Barakat is one of many smear campaigns being launched against pro-Palestinian voices, a phenomenon that seems to be increasing nowadays.

Security in Context is a podcast project from the research network of the same name, aimed at promoting new thinking on security from a global perspective.

The Security in Context podcast features discussions about key questions on peace and conflict, the political economy of security and insecurity, militarism, and geopolitics particularly as they intersect with the processes of climate change, population movement, and the reorganization of global powers. In order to delve into these topics, we interview writers, researchers, activists and professionals from inside and outside the Security in Context network. Our ultimate goal is to provide a critical representation of security related issues, paying special attention to the Global South, often misrepresented in mainstream media coverage.

Download or watch the podcast here:

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3FEHQND
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l7Ib25
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3FEpLPO
Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3L7rY7I

Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh assassinated by Israeli occupation forces in Jenin

Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh, a prominent reporter for Al Jazeera who has been one of the most well-known faces conveying the current situation in Palestine in Arabic-language media for over 20 years, was shot dead in the early morning hours of Wednesday, 11 May by Israeli occupation forces invading Jenin. She was shot in the head as she wore her “Press” vest, sparking outrage at her murder and at the systematic attacks directed against Palestinian journalists.

The assassination of Abu Aqleh drew comparisons to the killing of Palestinian journalist Yasser Murtaja and Ahmed Abu Hussein in Gaza during the Great March of Return in 2018, as well as the 50 Palestinian journalists killed since 2000 by the Israeli occupation. There are also dozens of Palestinian journalists held behind occupation bars, including Bushra al-Tawil, jailed without charge or trial under administrative detention. Abu Aqleh was a fixture on Al Jazeera, famed throughout the Arab region for her reporting of four wars on Gaza, the Israeli war on Lebanon, and the ongoing Palestinian liberation struggle. On many occasions, she covered the stories of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners, their families, their lives and their resistance. Indeed, her final tweet reported on the death of the mother of one of the longest-serving Palestinian prisoners, Karim Younes, only eight months before his scheduled release:

She joins a long line of Palestinian martyrs whose lives have been taken by a colonial force attempting its futile effort to defeat the Palestinian people. Her legacy, like that of all of the martyrs of Palestine, must inspire all to organize, struggle and resist for the liberation of Palestine, its prisoners and its people, and to turn our eyes to Jenin, a daily site of assassinations, extrajudicial killings, armed raids, home demolitions and relentless occupation assaults — and a daily site of an undaunted and undefeated resistance that continues to struggle for justice and freedom, to defend the land and people from colonial aggression.

We urge all to salute the martyrs of Palestine and their aspirations by joining the marches and rallies for Palestine around the world marking the 74th commemoration of the Nakba, the Day of Palestinian Struggle, and the ongoing movement for liberation and return. See the list of actions here. 

The below article by Shireen Abu Aqleh was published in “This Week in Palestine” (in English) in September 2021. She writes of her return to Jenin after her previous coverage there, specifically because of the heroes of the “Freedom Tunnel,” who liberated themselves from Gilboa prison, and weaves the story of imprisonment in Jenin with that of life and resistance:

“Reporting in a Time of Legends”

by Shireen Abu Aqleh

It was probably a coincidence that brought me back twenty years. When I arrived in Jenin in September, I did not expect to relive this overwhelming feeling. Jenin is still the same inextinguishable flame that is home to fearless young men who are not intimidated by any potential Israeli invasion.

The success of the escape from Jalbou’ Prison was the reason I spent a number of days and nights in the city. It was like going back to 2002 when Jenin lived something unique, unlike any other city in the West Bank. Towards the end of Al-Aqsa Intifada, armed citizens spread out all over the city and publicly dared the occupation forces to raid the camp.

In 2002, Jenin became a legend in the minds of many. The battle in the camp against the occupation forces that April is still powerfully present in the minds of its inhabitants, even those who were not yet born when it happened.

Returning to Jenin now, 20 years later, I encountered many familiar faces. In a restaurant, I met Mahmoud who greeted me with the question, “Do you remember me?” “Yes,” I replied, “I remember you.” It is difficult to forget that face and those eyes. He continued, “I was released from jail a few months ago.” Mahmoud was wanted by the Israelis when I met him during the years of the Intifada.

I relived those feelings of anxiety and horror that we experienced every time we met an armed person in the camp. Mahmoud is one of the lucky ones; he was imprisoned and released, but the faces of many others have been turned into symbols or mere memories for the inhabitants of Jenin and for Palestinians in general.

During this visit, we did not face any difficulties in finding a place to stay, unlike ten years ago when we had to stay in the homes of people we did not know. At that time, people opened their homes to us since there were no hotels.

At first sight, life in Jenin may appear normal, with restaurants, hotels, and shops that open their doors every morning. But in Jenin we have the feeling that we are in a small village that monitors every stranger that comes in. On every street, people ask the crew, “Are you from the Israeli press?” “No, we are from Al-Jazeera.” The yellow Israeli vehicle plates raise suspicion and fear. The car was photographed and the photograph was circulated several times before our movement in the city became familiar to inhabitants.

In Jenin, we met people who have never given up hope; they have not allowed fear to infiltrate their hearts and have not been broken by the Israeli occupation forces. It is probably not a coincidence that the six prisoners who managed to escape are all from the vicinity of Jenin and the camp.

To me, Jenin is not a one ephemeral story in my career or even in my personal life. It is the city that can raise my morale and help me fly. It embodies the Palestinian spirit that sometimes trembles and falls but, beyond all expectations, rises to pursue its flights and dreams.

And this has been my experience as a journalist; the moment I’m physically exhausted and mentally drained, I’m faced with a new, surprising legend. It might emerge from a small opening, or from a tunnel dug underground.

About  Shireen Abu Aqleh

For 24 years I have been covering the Palestinian-Israeli conflict for Al Jazeera. In addition to the political issue, my concern has been and will always be the human story and the daily suffering of my people under occupation. Before joining my current channel, I was a co-founder of Sawt Falasteen Radio. Throughout my career, I have covered four wars against the Gaza Strip and the Israeli war on Lebanon, in addition to the incursions into the West Bank. Furthermore, I have covered events in the United States, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Egypt.

12 May, Online Event: Nakba Commemoration – Personal Story and Panel Discussion

Thursday, 12 May
4 pm Pacific/7 pm Eastern
Join webinar (no advance registration required): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87226244593

74 years ago, 3/4 of Palestinian people were forced to leave their homeland by Zionist militia (settlers who came mainly from Europe and were supported by British occupation forces). More than 750 000 Palestinians became refugees. This what Palestinians call Nakba (Catastrophe in Arabic).
Come and listen to a personal story and learn about Palestinian culture and struggle to stop ongoing ethnic cleansing, reclaim occupied land, heritage and national identity

Write a letter: Don’t let McGill University Silence Palestine Solidarity

The Palestine Solidarity Policy was approved by the undergraduate student body of McGill University, with 71% of the vote! However, the McGill administration has threatened to terminate an agreement with the undergraduate student union that would withhold its funding after the student union adopted the Palestine Solidarity Policy in its campus referendum.

Read the full Palestine Solidarity Policy:  https://bit.ly/MGillPalestinePolicy

Subsequently, McGill University has threatened to terminate its Memorandum of Agreement with the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU).

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network joined with Roger Waters, Richard Falk, John Dugard, Libby Davies, Yann Martel, Chris Hedges, as well as several hundred other academics, artists, lawyers and activists, and many civil society organizations have signed a letter already. Join with them in sending your letter directly to McGill Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier. See the letter below.

More than 25 universities across Canada have passed BDS oriented resolutions. Over the last few weeks, motions have been passed at five universities including McGill, Concordia, UBC, Simon Fraser and University of Toronto.

Write your own letter HERE

The Letter

Dear McGill University Principal & Vice Chancellor

We are alarmed to learn that McGill University has threatened to terminate its Memorandum of Agreement with the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) following students voting to adopt a “Palestine Solidarity Policy”. Your threat is both anti-democratic and anti-Palestinian.

Endorsed by 71% of students in a referendum, the Palestine Solidarity Policy calls for SSMU to divest from and boycott “corporations and institutions complicit in settler-colonial apartheid against Palestinians.” The vote essentially commits SSMU to take a stand against Israel’s system of racial discrimination. The Palestine Solidarity Policy aligns with a growing consensus among human rights researchers, from Amnesty International to Human Rights Watch, B’Tselem to Al-Haq, that have concluded Israel is practicing apartheid against Palestinians. It’s also not dissimilar to measures students promoted in the 1980s – opposed by administrators then – targeting apartheid in South Africa.

In opposing students’ democratic choice, the McGill administration claimed the Palestine Solidarity Policy encourages “a culture of ostracization and disrespect due to students’ identity, religious or political beliefs.” But, the policy does not mention ethnicity or nationality. It only targets institutions complicit in oppression.

In effect, your administration is seeking to silence debate on Palestinian dispossession and block McGill students from protesting Israel’s abuses. McGill students should be commended, not condemned, for pushing their Student Society to uphold its mandate to “commit to demonstrating leadership in matters of human rights and social justice.”

By threatening to terminate the agreements by which SSMU receives its fees, the McGill administration has threatened student democracy and is undermining the Palestinians quest for liberation.

We call on you as Principal and the Administration to not take any action against the SSMU for freely expressing their views democratically.

Sincerely,

Write your own letter HERE

Organizations

Africa4Palestine, South Africa

ِAl Harah Theater, Palestine

Al-Haadi Musalla, Toronto

Al-Quds Committee, Toronto

Australians for Palestine

Baladi Center for Culture & Arts, Bethlehem – Palestine

Bathurst Street United Church, Toronto

Boycott from Within (Israeli citizens for BDS)

Boycott Israel Network (UK)

Canada Palestine Association Vancouver

Canadian BDS Coalition

Canadian Foreign Policy Institute

Coalition against Israeli Apartheid, Victoria, BC

Edmonton Small Press Association, Edmonton, AB

Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA), USA

Global Peace Alliance Society, BC

Hamilton Coalition To Stop The War

HR4A Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

Just Peace Advocates/Mouvement Pour Une Paix Juste

Justice For All Canada, Toronto

Justice for Palestinians

Knowledge Track Inc.

Let Kashmir Decide

Niagara Movement for Justice in Palestine-Israel (NMJPI)

Oakville Palestinian Rights Association (OPRA)

Palestine Solidarity Alliance, South Africa

Palestine Solidarity Campaign – Cape Town

Palestinian and Jewish Unity, Montreal

Palestinian Youth Movement – Greater Toronto Area

Peace Alliance Winnipeg

PPSWU Palestine

Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies (RCHRS), Palestine

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network

Solidarité populaire Estrie, Sherbrooke

The Australian Friends of Palestine Association

The Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa

Toronto Raging Grannies

UJFP, Paris

Youth Political and social forum YPSF, Palestine

Individuals:

Ahmad Al-Dissi, Professor

Ahmed Abbes, Research Director in Paris

Alan Wolinski , Retired Civil Servant

Alexander Kuilman, Ex- lawyer

Anand Pillay, Academic

Andrew Brook, Retired Academic

Angus Geddes, Agricultural Economist (Retired)

Anne Bryce, Retired Health Service Manager

Anne Gardner Remley, Writer-journalist retired

Anne Henderson, Filmmaker

Annick Suzor-Weiner, Academic

Bill Skidmore, Retired professor

Bill Walton, Retired

Bruce R. Allen, Paralegal

Candice Bodnaruk, Writer and Activist

Carmel Conway, Human Rights Advocates

Carmen Aguirre, Theatre artist and author

Cathy Gulkin, Filmmaker

Charlotte Kates, International coordinator, Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network

Cheryl Gaster, Lawyer (Retired), Chartered Mediator, Adjudicator

Chris Hedges, Journalist

Christine McMillan, Retired teacher and tax officer.

Claude Brasseur              , Activist

D Neibert, Hospital Administrator,  Systems Engineer,  R.Ph.T.

Daina Z. Green, Alumna McGill

Daniel Slapcoff  Graduate Student

Dave Bleakney, trade unionist

David Cannon, Chair of Jewish Network for Palestine UK

David Fairn, Teacher

David H. Finke, Retired printer; Quaker minister

David Low, Clergy

David Peters, Human Rights Advocate

David Swanson, Author

Deborah Jackman, Artist

Desmond Sequeira, Multi-Faith Chaplain (Retired), Ex-Jesuit Priest

Diana Chaplin, Palestinian supporter

Diana Neslen, Concerned grandmother

Dorar Abuzaid, Academic Support Staff

Dorothy Field, Artist, writer

Dr. Barry Heselwood, Academic

Dr. Don Crewe, Academic

Dr. S.Sayyid , Academic

Dr. Dwyer Sullivan, High School teacher of Social Justice and World Religions

Dror Warschawski, Academic

Ed Lehman, President, Regina Peace Council

Elena Putley, Artist

Elizabeth-Anne Malischewski, Community activist

Emilio Alvarez, Artist

Enver Domingo, Activist

Eric Mills, Editor

Father Robert Assaly, Former McGill Faculty Lecturer

Frances Baskerville, Artist

Frances Combs, United Church of Canada clergy

Francis Collins, Human Rights Advocate

Frank Roles, MD PhD FRMS, emeritus professor Ghent University

Frank White, retired

Garry Potter, Professor

Genie Silver, Ph.D., Academic

Gerry Hobden, Human Rights Advocate

Glenn D Tarver, Human Rights Advocate

Glenn Michalchuk, Peace and human rights activist

Gordon Doctorow, Ed.D, Retired academic

Hassan Husseini, Labour Negotiator

Helen Marks, Secretary, Liverpool Friends of Palestine

Henry Zaccak, CEO

J.W.Freeman, Mathematics Lecturer, retired

Jake Javanshir, Human Rights Advocate

Jalal Kawash, Academic

James Benham, Lawyer

James Dickins, Human Rights Advocate

James Prothero, Artist

Jan C Steven, Human Rights Advocate

Jane Collier, Academic

Jean Gagne, Supporter, Independent Jewish Voices Montreal Chapter

Jeff Winkelaar, Retired

Jennifer Whitfield, Human Rights Advocate

Jim Mitchell, MDCM 1964

Joe Modeste, Retired teacher

John Coates, Professional Engineer

John Dugard, Former Judge ad hoc Int  Court  of Justice

John Garrett, Academic (retired)

John Grant, Retired Adviser

John Greyson, Film/video artist

John Liss, Lawyer

John M. Darling, Archivist

John Molgaard, Retired academic

John Philpot, Lawyer

John Porter, IT specialist

John Price, Emeritus Professor, University of Victoria

John Steinmeyer, Independent Researcher

Jonathan Rosenhead, Academic

Jooneed Jeeroburkhan, Writer & Human Rights Activist

Judi McCallum, Retired librarian

Judith Cravitz, Exec member, Jews for Justice for Palestinians (UK)

K & S Selfop, Solidarity Activists

Karen Evans, Human Rights Advocates

Karen Platt, Jewish retired college instructor

Karen Rodman, Exec Director, Just Peace Advocates

Kate Chung, Retired, grandmother

Kate Langton, Research manager

Kate Randle Hardy, Academic

Kathleen Von Riesen, RN

Ken Stone, Treasurer, Hamilton Coalition To Stop The War

Kevin Gould, Academic, Dept of Geography, Planning and Environment, Concordia University

Khaled L. Mouammar, Former Member, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Larry Grand, Retired, taxpayer, citizen

Lawrence Sutherland, Activist

Les Levidow, Academic

Lesley McGorrigan, University staff

Libby Davies, Former Member of Parliament

Lilian Patey, Clergy

Louise Seidel, Disabled Theatre Artist

Marilyn Hay, Human Rights Advocate

Marina Barham, Human Rights Advocate

Marion Davis, United Church of Canada clergyperson

Marlena Santoyo, Member, Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom

Martin Fontaine, Agent de pastorale

Maruf Dewan, Human Rights Advocate

Mary Brown, Human Rights Advocate

Mary Lou Jorgensen-Bacher, Government Worker

Maryanne Stone-Jimenez, Lactation Consultant

Maureen, Retired Teacher

Michael  A. Lebowitz, Professor emeritus of economcs, SFU

Michael Wilde, Retired Lecturer

Michal Sapir, Writer and musician

Miguel Figueroa, Human Rights Advocate

Mike Cushman, Academic

Miko Peled, Author/activist for Palestine

Nadege Couamin, Human Rights Advocate

Naheed Gilani, Human Rights Advocate

Nahla Abdo, Professor of Sociology/Carleton University

Nora Lester Murad, Writer, educator

Norma Rantisi, Academic

Odette Dabit, a proud Palestinian

Ofer Neiman, Israeli citizen

Omer Aijazi, Academic

P. I. Gomes, Sociologist

Paul Waley, Academic

Paul Wimpeney, former Assistant Director, Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale, Greater Manchester

Peter Eglin, Professor Emeritus, WLU

Peter Jackson, Acoustic Engineer and Technical Director (Retired)

Peter Purich, Retired

Phyllis Creighton, Retired adjunct faculty, Trinity College, Faculty of Divinity, Toronto

Pouya Valizadeh, Professor

Prof. Haim Bresheeth-Zabner, Author, filmmaker, academic researcher

Prof. Emeritus Bob Brecher, Retired academic

Professor Gregory Philo, (Emeritus) Academic

Professor Megan Povey

Professor Richard Seaford, Academic

Rabab Abdulhadi, Director and Senior Scholar, Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Studies, San Francisco State University

Rabbi David Mivasair, Parent of two McGill graduates

Rachel Reesor-Taylor, Academic

Rajesh Ravisankar, Human Rights Advocate

Ralph Carl Wushke, Clergy

Rasha Soliman, Academic

Rashmi Luther, Retired professor, School of Social Work, Carleton University

Razan AlSalah, Academic

Reem Kelani, Singer, musician, broadcaster

Regina Birchem, Ph.D.

Renee Nunsn-Rappard, Retired nurse

Reuben Roth, Professor Emeritus, Laurentian University

Rev. Dr. Robin Wardlaw, retired United Church minister

Rev. F. Mark Mealing, Ph.D. retired academic Folklorist, unretired Anglican priest

Rev. Steve Berube, Human Rights Observer Palestine/Israel

Richard Falk, Professor of International Law Emeritus

Rina King, Human Rights Advocates

Robert Boyce, Academic

Robert D. Kent, Emeritus Professor, Computer Science, Academic

Robert Fantina, ِAuthor and journalist

Robert Gowenlock, Retired

Robin Boodle, Concerned Canadian

Roger Waters, Musician/Activist

Ron Benner, Artist, Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Visual Arts, Western University

Roz Isaac, Concerned citizen

Ruth Ballardie, Academic

S.L. Bondarchuk , NPO Administrator, Artist

Sally Campbell, McGill BA 1968  Lawyer/Mediator, Retired

Samuel Halévy, Artist

Sara Traub, Human Rights Advocate

Sasha Lofquist   Human Rights Advocate

Sherry Ann Chapman, Academic

Sheryl Nestel, Independent Scholar

Sid Shniad, Member, Independent Jewish Voices Canada

Stephen Aberle, Performing artist

Stephen Tiller, Human Rights Advocate

Susan Czarnocki , Retired

Susan Stout, Retired

Suzanne Riddell, Human Rights Advocates

Sylvat Aziz, Academic

Tamara Lorincz, Academic

Thomas Brown, Professor Emeritus, Mathematics

Tony Greenstein, Writer and journalist

Trevor Goodger-Hill, Writer and Poet

Victor Woods, Research Human Health

W. T. Beckett, Human rights activist

Wael Hallaq, Avalon Foundation Prof. Columbia Univ.

Wendy Gichuru, Social activist

William – known as David Berryman, University Chaplain, UK

Wolfe Erlichman, Member, Independent Jewish Voices

Yann Martel, Author

Yom Shamash, Teacher

 

Campaign initiated by

Canadian Foreign Policy Institute (CFPI)

Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU)

Just Peace Advocates (JPA)

15 May, Vancouver: Nakba 74 Rally and March

Sunday, 15 May
2 pm
Vancouver Art Gallery
Vancouver, unceded Coast Salish territories, BC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/565376358091078/

VANCOUVER, ALL OUT FOR PALESTINE. 74 years of settler colonialism, ethnic cleansing, and genocide as Palestinians continue to resist and fight against Israeli aggression since the Nakba in 1948. Every year we watch in horror as we witness the same acts of violence committed.

We have witnessed an escalation in the past couple of weeks with heightened aggression around times of worship during Ramadan and attacks against Al-Aqsa mosque, just like last year’s Unity Intifada, where Palestinians in Palestine and the diaspora rose up together internationally.

Last year, a flame was lit in the Palestinian resistance as Palestinians of Lydd, Haifa, Yaffa, Akka, and across the West Bank and Gaza rose up against 74 years of Zionist colonialism. All power to our people defending Jerusalem and Palestine for 74 years from Zionism and land theft. From Turtle Island to Palestine, we resist settler colonialism in all its forms.

15 May, Brooklyn/NYC: Nakba Day March for Palestinian Resistance and Return

Sunday, 15 May
1:00 pm
72nd and 5th
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NYC
More info: https://www.instagram.com/p/CdQrblmuzuP/

Bring your flags, keffiyehs, and your rage.

After 74 years of ongoing ethinc cleansing and genocide, how could anyone expect anything else from Palestinians but resistance?

In response to the latest wave of attacks on Palestinians in Jerusalem by zionist settlers backed by the full weight of the occupation, Palestinian youth are rising up and confronting their oppressors with stones in hand, destroying security cameras, raising the Palestinian flag and defending Al-Aqsa, Jenin, Masafer Yatta, and all of Palestine.

From Jerusalem, to Gaza, to ‘48, to the West Bank, to the camps, to everywhere where Palestinian refugees currently live in exile, we must defend the Palestinian right to resist zionist settler violence and support Palestinian resistance in all its forms. By any means necessary. With no exceptions and no fine print.

We must not only commemorate the Nakba but also support Palestinian resistance in all it’s forms! Join us to celebrate our youth resisting and overcoming against the occupation in Jerusalem and declaring that all Palestinians refugees will return within our lifetime!

13 May, Webinar: Double Standard — Canada’s terrorist list, the IDF, Palestinians and the case of Khaled Barakat

Friday, 13 May
1 pm Pacific/4 pm Eastern/8 pm UTC/10 pm central Europe/11 pm Palestine
Register here to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fZaKNSQLSQSGrMHdIP5QsA

Double Standard: Canada’s terrorist list, the IDF, Palestinians and the case of Khaled Barakat

Organized by the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute and Just Peace Advocates.

Panelists

Miko Peled is an Israeli-American activist, author and international speaker. He is author of the books The General’s Son: The Journey of an Israeli in Palestine and Injustice: The Story of the Holy Land Foundation Five.

Yavar Hameed is a lawyer, mediator and conflict resolution practitioner and teaches at Carleton University’s Department of Law.

Khaled Barakat is a Palestinian writer and journalist.

Moderator: Bianca Mugyenyi, Director of Canadian Foreign Policy Institute

Write a letter: Join over 60 organizations and thousands of people to stop the smears targeting Palestinian advocacy and defend Khaled Barakat

Recently, the Canada Palestine Association, together with the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute, Just Peace Advocates, Palestinian and Jewish Unity and BDS Vancouver – Coast Salish, launched a collective statement of solidarity in support of Palestinian writer Khaled Barakat and Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network in response to a smear campaign from the right-wing newspaper, the National Post, and multiple Zionist organizations. Over 60 organizations have already signed on!

You can take action in support of the statement and in defense of Khaled Barakat and Samidoun by sending your letter to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino to tell them that you join with the 60 organizations that have called to “Stop the Smear Campaigns against Palestinian Advocacy”. Thousands of letters have already been sent, but we need to make the message clear.

Click here to send your letter and stand with us!

Recently, we have witnessed an intensified campaign by the pro-Israel lobby in Canada to smear Palestinian activists and their supporters. Last week, the National Post (NP) ran an online article about Palestinian-Canadian writer Khaled Barakat and the advocacy organization Samidoun. On April 30, the same article was splashed across their front page of their paper and has since been referenced in the Canadian Senate and the Jerusalem Post.

A year ago, over 35 concerned organizations issued a statement detailing their rejection of attempts to criminalize Samidoun, a Palestinian advocacy group for prisoners, by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Advocacy (CIJA). They asked at that time:  Should Canada’s policies on these important issues be decided by what the Israeli government and its lobby dictates?

Is this renewed attack an attempt to deflect attention from the multiple student union resolutions in support of Palestine at major Canadian universities? Or an effort to distract from the growing number of organizations that have expressly condemned Israeli practices as apartheid, such as Amnesty International? Or a distraction to cover up Israel’s continuing ethnic cleansing, most recently in the villages of Masafer Yatta?

The new statement calling for an end to these ramped-up smear campaigns is supported by diverse solidarity and community groups in Canada and abroad, as well as prominent individuals like Roger Waters, Jonathan Kuttab and Tony Greenstein.

Join with them to tell the Canadian government that the old smear tactics of “trial by fire” are not acceptable. This attack is an attack on all of us who are advocating for the liberation and dignity of the Palestinian people.

Click here to send your letter and stand with us!

Organizational signers of the statement — write to cpavancouver@gmail.com to endorse or use this form: https://bit.ly/StopPalSolSmear

Canada Palestine Association-Vancouver
BDS Vancouver-Coast Salish

Endorsed by:
Academics for Palestine – Concordia
Bayan Canada
BDS Caucus UTGSU
Barnard-Boecker Centre Foundation, Victoria BC
Canada Palestine Support Network (CanPalNet)
Canada-Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights
Canadian BDS Coalition
Canadian Foreign Policy Institute
Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid-Victoria
Communist Party Canada
East Indian Defense Committee (EIDC)
Edmonton Small Press Association
Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle – Coast Salish Territories
Free Palestine Halifax
Free Palestine YEG, Edmonton
Global Peace Alliance BC
GTA Palestine Movement
GT4BDS (Greater Toronto 4 BDS)
Hamilton Coalition to Stop The War
Independent Jewish Voices Canada
Independent Jewish Voices Vancouver
International League of Peoples’ Struggle Canada
Just Peace Advocates
Just Peace Committee-BC
Justice For All Canada, Toronto
Justice for Palestinians, Calgary
Labour for Palestine – Canada
Niagara Movement for Justice in Palestine-Israel (NMJPI)
Oakville Palestinian Rights Association OPRA
OPIRG Carleton
Palestinian and Jewish Unity PAJU
Palestinian Student Society Association (PSSA), Guelph
Palestinian Youth Movement PYM
Palestine Solidarity Network – Edmonton
Peace Alliance Winnipeg
Socialist Action
Students Against Israeli Apartheid U of T
Sulong UBC
Toronto Raging Grannies
Vancouver Peace Council
Venezuela Peace and Solidarity Committee, BC

Alkarama (Palestinian Womens Movement), Spain
Communist Youth of Sweden, SKU, Sweden
Friends of Sabeel North America
Free Speech on Israel, UK
Indonesian Palestine Alliance IDPAL, Indonesia
Jewish Network for Palestine (UK)
Jews for Palestinian Right of Return, USA
Labor for Palestine, US
Nevadans for Palestinian Human rights, Las Vegas
NYU Law Students for Justice in Palestine, NYC
PAAF PEOPLE AGAINST APARTHEID AND FASCISM, Cape Town
Palestine Solidarity Alliance, South Africa
Palestine Solidarity Campaign – Cape Town
Palestinian Union in Latin America
Peace, Justice, Sustainability NOW, Florida
Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, Lebanon
(لبنان – المؤتمر الشعبي لفلسطينني الخارج)
Revolutionaire Eenheid, The Netherlands
Students for Justice in Palestine at Butler University
Students for Justice in Palestine, Chicago
Students for justice in Palestine – Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ
Students for Justice in Palestine at UC Davis, California
Students for Justice in Palestine, Wayne NJ
Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights – University of Washington
Veterans for Peace, CA, USA

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