Dec 232016
 

With thanks to Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Aberdeen Branch.

In a victory for free speech and democracy, December 14th saw a significant defeat for forces attempting to silence criticism of Israel , as a motion raised by Councillors Greig and Boulton of Aberdeen City Council was debated at a meeting of the full Council.
At first viewing, the motion had much to commend it, roundly condemning racism and xenophobia and calling for tolerance and diversity in the city.

However, on a more thorough reading, aspects of the text raised concerns with a number of individuals and organisations, who recognised the potential for the motion – if passed unamended – to actively lead to suppression of freedom of speech and political protest.

The concerning points stated that (author’s emphasis):

“That this Council..
3. Believes that the best way to promote peace and harmony in the world is to build cultural, academic and economic bridges.
4. Rejects any attempt to drive individuals, families and legitimate businesses away from Aberdeen on grounds of race, religion or country of origin and condemns any organisation that pursues such a policy.”

Any person of conscience who was involved in the international campaign of boycott against apartheid South Africa, or the current campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel, will recognise the danger inherent in those innocuous-looking paragraphs – indeed, if passed in the 1980’s, the motion would have put the Council not only in a position opposing the international boycott campaign against the South African apartheid regime, but also actively condemning any organisation who did!

These concerns were proved well-founded when the joint proposers of the motion were quoted in the press, directly linking the motion to current BDS activity in Aberdeen, specifically the ongoing campaign by SPSC Aberdeen Branch against Jericho Dead Sea Cosmetics’ stall in Union Square.

The councillors voiced vague unsubstantiated accusations of ‘anti-Semitism masked as anti-Israel sentiment’, a charge robustly challenged by Unite regional officer Tommy Campbell, who responded:

“We hope the city councillors will continue with the city council’s proud historical record of opposing racism and apartheid in South Africa and by also opposing the racist apartheid policy of the current Israeli government. Criticism of the crimes committed by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people is not being anti-Semitic.”

SPSC members contacted councillors ahead of the debate to voice their concerns over the motives behind the motion, i.e. the bid to stifle criticism of Israel and prevent legitimate protest.

The campaign to criminalise BDS activity and support for Palestinian rights is not new, but is relentlessly gathering pace, with Theresa May’s new definition of anti-Semitism the most recent threat to legitimate criticism of Israel, openly conflating anti-Semitism with anti-Zionism.

Fiona Napier from Aberdeen branch of SPSC said:

“The national boycott campaign against Jericho (targeted due to its exploitation of the Dead Sea, highly symbolic of the apartheid nature of the Israeli occupation) has been the subject of increasingly sinister attack from the pro-Israel lobby and their supporters.

“A malicious campaign of unfounded claims has seen SPSC activists in court on ‘racially aggravated’ charges, and the campaign here in Aberdeen has been subject to unwarranted constant police attention, due to a constant stream of ‘anonymous’ calls reporting alleged ‘hate crimes’. Despite this opposition, we have refused to be silenced, and it is clear from Cllrs Greig and Boulton’s remarks that this motion is being used as yet another attempt to shut us down.”

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) responded to the motion via a robust statement sent to all councillors before the debate, pointing out:

“The councillors putting forward the motion have been clever with their words, but if passed, we are concerned that this motion will put the City Council and its councillors in direct opposition to legitimate human rights campaign groups that are supported by many local individuals and organisations – and we presume many councillors too. Given the recent press comments from Cllr Greig, the motion is clearly directed at opposing such human rights groups and the ATUC as well.”

On the day of the Council meeting, an amendment to remove the two controversial paragraphs was tabled and following a vigorous debate, was passed overwhelming by 32 votes to 9.

During the debate, numerous speakers paid tribute to Aberdeen’s proud record of opposing apartheid and oppressive states, and urged colleagues not to allow that record to be compromised. Councillors recalled Aberdeen’s contribution towards fighting fascism in the Spanish civil war and the city’s active opposition to apartheid South Africa, and there were repeated calls to resist any attempt to stifle the right of individuals to speak out against injustice and oppression.

The amended motion which finally passed is certainly one that Aberdeen City Council can be proud of – one that celebrates diversity and tolerance and condemns racism and intolerance, but in no way attempts to curtail the right to lawful, legitimate protest. SPSC congratulates the Council on this principled position, and encourages others to take courage from this resounding defeat of the pro-Israel lobby in its attempt to subvert local democracy.

SPSC Aberdeen Branch
15 December 2016
aberdeen@scottishpsc.org.uk

7 minute video of highlights from Aberdeen City Council debate Wed 14 Dec 2016

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Aug 182016
 
GazaIsraelBigRide (5)

The Big Ride has set out to draw attention to the 547 children verified as killed during the Israeli bombardment of Gaza in 2014.

With thanks to Greg Challis, The Big Ride.

Hundreds of cyclists and their supporters who blockaded a Midlands factory in protest at its sale of drones used by the Israeli military have vowed: “We’ll be back.”
The Big Ride for Palestine staged four feeder rides from London, Bristol, Manchester and Sheffield which converged on Birmingham for a festival in Sparkhill Park.

The peloton then moved off en masse to a rally at the factory gates of UAV engines, in Shenstone near Lichfield.

UAV is part of the Elbit group and has been the target of repeated protests by activists, appalled at the way drones have been used against Palestinian civilians.

The Big Ride has set out to draw attention to the 547 children verified as killed during the Israeli bombardment of Gaza in 2014.

Protesters pinned photographs of child victims on the fence surrounding the factory and, during a two hour peaceful action,heard first hand testimony from a Palestinian doctor working with children in Gaza.

The event also created a minor internet sensation with ten of thousands of views of a video posted by the Friends of Al Aqsa group and You Tube footage of Tom from Manchester performing his rap composition, There’s Nothing new about the News.

Dr Mona El Farra, who lost nine members of her extended family in 2014, told the crowd:

“With your support and solidarity, we are helping some of the thousands of children who are traumatised by the loss of the families, their homes, their schools. Even though Gaza has been reduced to rubble in places with the support of arms manufacturers like Elbit, who own UAV, we are doing everything we can to rebuild lives.

“The children are all our futures, and they are so brave, but I can’t tell you how damaged they are. They have to learn how to play again, to be children. This is nothing more than collective punishment of the Palestinian people by the Israel and we say that it is a war crime.”

The Big Ride drew support from MPs, MEPs, trade unions and celebrities, including film director Ken Loach and campaign and charity groups including War on Want and Campaign Against the Arms Trade. They have set a target of £20,770 to help the Middle Eastern Children’s Alliance, which funds projects on the ground in Gaza.

Activists are now meeting with other grass roots groups to step up their campaign against UAV and the Government supported arms trade with Israel.

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Nov 212013
 

With thanks to Stuart Maltman, Secretary, Aberdeen SPSC

palestineflagpicOn the 29th of November – the United Nation’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – Aberdeen City Council will be flying the Palestinian flag from the Town House.

Palestinians suffer daily due to the ongoing Israeli occupation of the West Bank and east Jerusalem and the siege of the Gaza Strip.

Palestinians within Israel also suffer discrimination and today, according to the UN, some 5 million Palestinian refugees around the world remain unable to return to their homeland.

The flying of the Palestinian flag signals Aberdeen’s solidarity with the Palestinian people who remain steadfast in the face of the denial of their national and human rights.

Dame Anne Begg MP is highly supportive of the Council’s plans, stating that:

“I am proud that Aberdeen City Council are flying the Palestinian flag from the Town House on November 29th to commemorate the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

“This day serves as an important reminder of continual hardships Palestinians face on a daily basis and the need for a just and lasting peaceful resolution to the conflict. I am happy to see Aberdeen stand side by side with the Palestinians at this time

To celebrate this important event Aberdeen Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the University and College Union are hosting a public reception at the University of Aberdeen’s Macrobert Lecture Theatre on the evening of the 29th November.

A number of excellent speakers will be talking on the night, with the theme of the evening focused on how best to build and strengthen links and solidarity between Aberdeen and Palestine.

There will be an opportunity to hear directly from Gaza, as Rafat Abushaban, a Gazan activist, will speak live through video –link, giving an update on the situation in Gaza. Frank Doran, MP for Aberdeen North, will reflect on his own visit last year to Palestine as part of a Labour delegation.

Poetry of the Palestinian struggle will be provided by Hilda Meers from Scottish Jews for a Just Peace. Mike Arnott, from Dundee Trades Union Council, who was part of the effort which led to Dundee’s twinning with Nablus, a Palestinian city in the West Bank, will tell of this success.

We will also be joined by Aberdeen TUC’s Tommy Campbell who will discuss Aberdeen’s history of solidarity struggle, particularly against South African Apartheid.

Karolin Hijazi, a Palestinian activist, working with Aberdeen UCU and SPSC will then talk about the potential and importance of taking forward Palestine Solidarity in Aberdeen.

It is hoped that as well as marking a historic date for Aberdeen’s solidarity with the people of Palestine, this event will build on and strengthen the struggle for Palestinian rights in Aberdeen. If you would like further information, please contact aberdeen@scottishpsc.org.uk

Flying the Flag for Palestine in Aberdeen
6pm on 29th November,
Macrobert Lecture Theatre,
University of Aberdeen,

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Jun 052013
 

With thanks to Stuart Maltman, Secretary, Aberdeen SPSC.

Mahmoud Sarsak is to speak at a meeting of Aberdeen Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) At the Quaker Meeting House on Friday

Mahmoud Sarsak was a member of the Palestinian national football team who was seized by Israeli troops, held without charge and tortured over many weeks in Israel’s notorious prison system.

After three years, i.e. six ‘democratic and lawful’ periods of six months imprisonment without trial or charge, Mahmoud went on hunger strike to demand that he be given prisoner-of-war status since he was being detained under Israel’s Unlawful Combatants Law.

He refused to accept exile to Norway as a condition for his release and, near death at half his usual body weight, Israel released him unconditionally.

Aberdeen SPSC will be hosting Mahmoud at the Quaker Meeting House where he will be raising awareness of Israeli’s war against Palestinian football, the torture and abuse of Palestinian prisoners in Israel’s gulag, and the role of multi-national G4S in running parts of Israel’s illegal programme.

He will also be raising the cases of two players of the Palestinian national football team, Omar Abu Rouis and Mohammed Nemer who have been imprisoned for over a year now in Israel’s dungeons without any trial or charges being levelled against them.

Mahmoud Sarsak Speaking Event
7.30pm, June 7th
Quaker Meeting House,
98 Crown Street,
Aberdeen

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Nov 202012
 

Following the latest, ongoing outbreak of Israeli violence against the people of Gaza, citizens of Aberdeen demonstrate their solidarity and support for those under attack.  With thanks to Dave Black.

On Saturday 17 November, some 50 people gathered at short notice to show their support and solidarity for the people of Gaza, who are facing daily massacres at the hands of the Israeli Defence Force.
Meeting in Aberdeen’s St Nicholas Square, many carried flags or banners stating “Stand With Gaza” and “End Israeli War Crimes,” while shouts of “Free Palestine” rang in the air.

Powerful speeches were delivered by Brian Carroll (Aberdeen TUC President) and Tommy Campbell (Unite Regional Officer).

Veteran pro-Palestinian activist and member of Scottish Jews for a Just Peace Hilda Meers gave the crowd a moving rendition of her poem Erasure – Death-Dance for a Palestinian Child.

Many passers-by stopped and took the time to sign a petition demanding Alec Salmond immediately halts any political and economic relationships with Israel until the oppression of Gaza has ended and the human rights of Palestinians are recognised.

Plans for taking forward solidarity with the people of Gaza will be progressed at a public meeting upstairs at the Belmont Cinema this Thursday 22 November at 7.30pm.

The agenda will include building towards an Aberdeen-Gaza Skype link-up at 2pm on 08 December at the University of Aberdeen’s MacRobert Building (room 613). This event is aimed at hearing directly the experiences of people in Gaza, forging links between activists and interested groups/individuals in Aberdeen and Gaza and looking at how these can be taken forward in the future.

<<<<    >>>>

  ERASURE – Death-Dance For A Palestinian Child, As Seen On A Video From Gaza

(During the Israeli Cast Lead attack on Gaza, Israeli soldiers fired on Palestinian ambulances to prevent them carrying wounded civilians to hospital. Sixteen medics were killed, resulting in casualties being ferried in donkey carts).

See the donkey-cart driver
race along the road, fast, fast –
pulling up with a jerk, not a word,
now his journey’s done.
.
See a mother leap out of the cart.
As she runs, runs, runs,
see her feet pound the ground,
the child in her arms so still, silent and still.
.
A man comes at a run, running quick, quick,
he runs towards the woman,
his arms reach for the child who lies silent,
unmoving and silent in sheltering arms.
.
Then turning, he runs, runs fast, quickly nears,
nearing the open door he surrenders the child
to other arms reaching, to bring help
for the child lying silent and still.
See the doctors bend over the hospital bed,
as they work for response from the child on the bed –
despairing at last, they must cover the head
of a child whose life has been stilled.
.
Whose life has been stilled,
has been stolen away,
the mother’s heart broken –
what more can I say?
.
What more can I say
What more can I do
As I try to convince you
This is our heartbreak too.
.
.
.
.
© Hilda Meers
Apr 122012
 

Israel’s stance on Palestine comes under scrutiny this weekend. With thanks to Dave Watt.

This Sunday Aberdeen resident Karolin Hijazi will embark on what should in theory be a simple journey; a journey made in response to an international call to take part in a new education project, and an attempt to return to her homeland. However, the journey that she wants to make is to Palestine, and by openly stating this at Israel’s Tel Aviv airport, she will most likely end up in a detention centre or prison.

Karolin is travelling as part of the Welcome to Palestine 2012 initiative , which will see at least 1500 individuals of conscience and supporters of human rights take up the call from Palestinian civil society organisations, to travel openly to Bethlehem, part of Palestinian land in the West Bank which Israel has illegally occupied since 1967.

Last year, the first time the Welcome to Palestine initiative took place, around 125 participants were detained in prisons in Israel

Individuals will fly in from the UK, from Europe, the United States, Canada and many other countries. There are no airports in the West Bank, as Israel has been able to keep tight control of the borders and development of Palestine, ie. anyone wishing to travel to the West Bank has to do so through Israel with permission from the Israeli authorities, most often denied.

Israel maintains complete control of 59 per cent of Palestinian land in the West Bank, military control of another 24 per cent of the land, thus leaving only 17 per cent in full control of the Palestinian Authority.

Last year, the first time the Welcome to Palestine initiative took place, around 125 participants were detained in prisons in Israel after expressing their wish to travel to Palestine at airport passport control. Hundreds more were unable to even board planes after Israeli authorities exerted pressure on airlines to prevent passengers departing airports in Paris, Brussels and Geneva, among others.

The story of participants made headlines around the world, mainly due to how basic the aim of participants was: to accept an invitation by Palestinians to visit them as their guests. The initiative calls for the freedom of movement of both Palestinians and their guests. The West Bank and Gaza have often been compared to open air prisons, but even prisoners are allowed visitors.

Karolin Hijazi’s family originally come from Yazur, a Palestinian village, which is now known as Azor. Azor and nearby Jaffa are just two of the many sites in Israel which were built on top of the remains of Palestinian villages destroyed in 1948. After being forced from their homes in the 1948 war, the family moved on to Al-Lydd in the district of Al-Ramla, which was also evacuated and destroyed.

Karolin, who is a doctor and teaches medical students at Aberdeen University, wants to join the initiative to show solidarity to the Palestinian people by taking part in the project which aims to build four new schools in Bethlehem.

Karolin has received support from local MPs Dame Anne Begg:

“I would hope that this non violent act of requesting entry to Palestine is treated as such. I will be maintaining contact with my constituent to ensure safe passage during her trip.”

and Frank Doran:

“I would ask that Ms Hijazi is allowed to pass through Tel Aviv airport without impediment so that she is able to proceed to the West Bank to take part in the educational project.”

Kevin Stewart MSP raised the following motion at the Scottish Parliament:

“That the Parliament commends those people attempting to travel from Scotland to the West Bank as part of the Welcome to Palestine initiative…to bring attention to the fact that Palestinians have been denied visitation rights in the occupied territories…to raise awareness of the lack of freedom of movement endured by Palestinians both inside and outside of the occupied territories, and to show solidarity with the Palestinian people who continue to be denied the most basic of rights.”

Chair of Aberdeen Trades Union Council Brian Carroll said:

“Welcome to Palestine is an important event highlighting the suffering being endured on a daily basis by those peoples living in the West Bank. It is a criminal outrage that in this day and age a modern so-called progressive state like Israel can continually break international law and commit human rights violations on a daily basis against people that wish only to have the same opportunities, lives and choices that we have.

“I very much hope that the efforts of Karolin and others brings the suffering of the Palestinian people to the forefront of international politics, so that their suffering is curtailed.”

Sep 152010
 

With thanks to the Aberdeen Branch of SPSC.

On Saturday 18th September, the Aberdeen branch of Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) are going to walk a 40km route along the Aberdeenshire coast – a distance equivalent to the length of the coastline of the Gaza Strip.

This walk is to draw attention to the fact that 1.5 million Palestinians live in a strip of land so small that it can easily be walked in about 10 hours, that they are virtual prisoners, denied the right to trade by land or sea, to have access to employment or education, or even to receive basic humanitarian aid.

Starting at Portlethen at 7:45am those taking part will follow the Aberdeenshire Coastal Path as far as Newburgh. The route will pass through Cove, round Aberdeen Harbour and through a section of the city centre, up the beach to the Bridge of Don, then onwards to Balmedie, finally arriving at Newburgh – no doubt with a few blisters!

As well as raising awareness of the injustice of Gaza, the SPSC are raising funds through sponsorship for PalestineConnect (www.palestineconnect.org), a small grassroots charity that operates computer-aided learning centres in three of the refugee camps in the Gaza Strip.

Anyone who wishes to join us on the walk is very welcome, as are all donations. And if anyone sees us en route, give us a wave!
For further details contact aberdeen@scottishpsc.org.uk
To make a donation, visit the “Donate” page at http://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/ and select PalestineConnect from the campaign options.

Jul 162010
 

By Clive Kempe & Hilda Meers.

Last Thursday at Aberdeen University, members of the public were gathered to hear twenty two year old Ali El Awaisi from Dundee talk about his experience of the Israeli attack on the relief flotilla to Gaza.

Ali, dressed in T-shirt and Palestinian scarf – east meets west – spoke and answered questions  so eloquently that there was no time or need to watch the videos that his brother Khalid was busily setting up during the talk. (One of the aid workers had managed to conceal her mobile phone on the ship, videos from which are available on Youtube). Continue reading »