Letters, Videos, & Announcements, May 24, 2010

Videos:

Hebron Nakba march through the old city

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqXK5Vi_NXE
 
Jewish Israeli Settlers attack Palestinians (a bit dated but relevant and ongoing similar situations)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk8pFtmikx4
 
How Hitler and Zionists cooperated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KKgNToLrYk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrhOmw60pNc
 
The Zionist Story 1-8

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvVFyjD18Qg&feature=related

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK7JJea3Sz8
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdPOUQDiO7I
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylFVsrmmdV0
Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOMaJdVqStE
Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j09KMQvJuac
Part 6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuSDl3ZeB_c
Part 7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECEpZwcIw4k
Part 8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7--1wBdXhPM
 
Right to Education International Student Conference
...and visits to cities in the West Bank Birzeit University, Palestine

ENG PDF: http://right2edu.birzeit.edu/downloads/pdfs/R2EConf-july10-BZU.pdf

AR PDF: http://right2edu.birzeit.edu/downloads/pdfs/R2EConf-july10-BZU-ar.pdf
http://tinyurl.com/r2e-conf-app

Activists in Al-Walaja where also called for Palestinian security interrogation.

Amazing footage here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkqImIicAko
 
The attacks from the Israeli soldiers at the peaceful demonstration in Al-Masara 21 May 2010 (here no Palestinian security are allowed in the area)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJvQM7VRbvk

Flotilla of ships with lots of supplied an hundreds of decent people try to break the siege on Gaza again.  See and support:  

http://www.freegaza.org  http://www.flickr.com/photos/freegaza

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68iKXzOKlOY&feature=player_embedded

=======================================

Racism in the U.S.

There’s no denying it- we live in a racist world.  Most of the time there’s little one can do to counter the stupid, idiotic crap that spews like sewage from the mouths of the unenlightened.  But when I hear racist garbage on public airways, I’m compelled to act. 
Such was the case on the morning of 5/12.  The alarm clock in my Orlando hotel room awoke me at ~ 8am.  It was set to 92FM, a country station:

 (http://k92fm.com/docmorning/index.html). 

A male & female drive-time team was promoting some kind of flag promotion.  I paid little attention until the male announcer, upon hearing that the show was listened to by some of our troops stationed in the Middle East over the Internet, suggested that these listeners “kill 5 bad guys (each?) of the Muslim persuasion” or something very similar.  At some point during this moron’s discourse, he stated that a program director had accused him of being racist during a previous incident, something that the dim-witted announcer said he did not understand. 
 
No matter.  Expressions of racism have no place on the public airways, and I plan to take action.  This missive will be forwarded to the FCC, appropriate media (including Al Jazeera), every business that sponsors this moron’s show, and every Muslim group I can find until this jerk is barred from access to public media and the station that employees him takes responsibility for employing this clueless idiot.   
 
Ché Mohammed

=======================================
 

Rahm Emanuel reportedly plans to bring his son to Jerusalem for his Bar Mitzvah.

Click here: Protesting Rahm, in Israel - Ben Smith - POLITICO.com
 
 
Raham's Son deserves a better start from his father than having his Bar Mitzvah in Jerusalem. Having a celebration party in an occupied City of the Six-Day War/Attack.  As the squatters are stealing all under there boots of hate from their Semitic Palestinian brothers, the children of Shem.
 
Regarding Mr. Emanual, the knowing father?  If he goes forward with going to Jerusalem with his Son. He must then resign as he is unfit and in direct contravention of United States of America agreed policies, U. S.  Road Map, and past UN Resolutions. And worst of all is making a world-wide impression statement, that our President Obama  approves.  While he is "Shepherding" our finest in two deadly wars for both sides, which is a direct result of the 1967  Zioncons Attack.
                                                                  

Ronald Douglas Kennedy

=======================================

Elvis Costello under attack

Charlie Smith's article in today's Georgia Straight about Elvis Costello's principled position to cancel his concerts in Israel has not surprisingly generated many hostile Zionist comments on the Straight website.

http://straight.com/article-324496/vancouver/elvis-costello-cancels-two-concerts-israel

We should all support and applaud Elvis Costello's courageous and thoughtful actions as he will undoubtedly be vilified and attacked by the pro-Israel lobby in the coming days. See statement on Costello's Website: http://www.elviscostello.com/news/it-is-after-cosiderable-contemplation/44 Hanna

Hanna Kwawas

=======================================
 

Israel's Defense Iron Dome System gets New Financial Backer: U.S. Barack Obama

Haaretz, Amos Herel  May 13, 2010

EditorCE:   Reality vs Spin: 

The Israeli Defense Ministry wants no part of paying for this worthless and unnecessary project and says so; instead, they expect the US consumer to pay for it.  It's worthless because it is a defense against all but harmless weapons, Gaza rockets that have killed only four people in as many years, and three of these were Arab Bedouins with a very suspicious rocket that makes one wonder who really fired it.  Gaza rockets do not explode, so why shoot them down?--- This reeks of a make work program for Israelis.  President Obama, why not spend the $200 million to make work here, say to prevent stray dogs from killing stray cats?

---Haaretz SPINS it, but gives all the facts you need:  "U.S. agrees to fund anti-missile defense system, long delayed due to budgetary difficulties, beyond regular annual defense assistance afforded to Israel. The Pentagon has issued a message to Israel's Defense Ministry that U.S. President Barack Obama has approved the transfer of special assistance totaling $205 million (just under NIS 800 million) for the purchase of more than ten Iron Dome batteries.

--- the Defense Ministry has been looking for other budgetary avenues. Among other things, Israel has struck a deal with an unnamed eastern Asian country (Singapore, according to a recent report in a French magazine) to participate in the funding of future phases in the project. Israel has recently raised the possibility that the U.S. assist in the funding of the project by transferring a sum of money beyond the U.S.'s annual defense assistance."

SPIN: Why Christian Zionists Really Support Israel

Haaretz  May 13, 2010

EditorCE: Someone named Boyd comments on the article in Haaretz, and correctly points out what is wrong with Christian Zionists, including John Hagee, and those who follow him: 

"Christian Zionists ignore the principles of love, compassion, and mercy in the New Testament by unconditionally supporting the secular Israeli government and their abusive and oppressive policies to people who Christ died for as much as He died for the Jews. The fact that they believe the Jews are still the "chosen people" (based on ethnicity and not faith as Paul teaches) allows them to ignore the human rights abuses perpetrated against the Palestinians. Their brand of Christianity is one of hate and not Christ's love. Hagee and his brand of Christianity turns most true believers away!"

---Pastor John C. Hagee is founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel.

CD and DVD Classic, by Chuck Carlson and others

Whoever Rules America Rules the World

Attack on Islam

Inside the Gaza Strip: Human Bombs

Message From Gaza

http://eshop.whtt.org/eshop.php?id=42

DVD'S on Christian Zionism and Gaza

Roots of Christian Zionism, by Carlson and WHTT team

The People and the Land, By Tom Hayse

http://eshop.whtt.org/eshop.php?id=22

Contributions make up our shortfall, thank you.

http://eshop.whtt.org/eshop.php?id=24

Chuck Carlson

=======================================

 
For the sake of Gaza----we can't wait!

Emergency Response Protest Information for Chicago Area
 
Israeli Consulate in Chicago

Thursday, May 27
12 noon until 2:00 PM.

 111 East Wacker Drive (just east of Michigan Avenue & Wacker Drive).

**PLEASE BRING PALESTINIAN FLAGS, BANNERS, POSTERS**

  
We are writing to you with an urgent appeal. The Free Gaza flotilla is on its way to Gaza. Unlike previous Free Gaza boats, this flotilla includes large vessels, will be carrying substantial amounts of reconstruction supplies, medical supplies, and school supplies, and 800 passengers from 50 countries. It cannot afford to fail. This is an opportunity to denounce the inhumanity of Israel's three year long siege and running. Israel said it will stop the boats from reaching Gaza, they have done it before and they can do it again: http://bit.ly/9JCCyS
 
We can not wait until something happens before we mobilize. If we are to be helpful in this effort, we need to begin support activities immediately. 
 
If the convoy has already been attacked or blockaded, our demonstration will be a powerful protest.  If it has not yet arrived, our demonstration will be a demand that it be allowed to pass in peace. 
 
Every time someone sends a letter from here, it will email AND fax 150 Israeli Embassies and Consulates worldwide:

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6207/t/6210/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=3142

Please the petition:
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6207/t/6210/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=775
 
Endorsing organizations (in formation): Palestine Solidarity Group-Chicago, International Solidarity Movement-Chicago chapter, United States Palestinian Community Network, Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism (CCAWR), CodePink-Chicago, International Socialist Organization (ISO), Chicagoans Against Apartheid in Palestine (CAAP), Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at DePaul University,End the Occupation, Northern Illinois, M20 Coalition ,The Palestine Working of the Center for Theology and Social Analysis in St. Louis, Albany Park-North Park- Mayfair Neighbors for Peace and Justice, National Association of Muslim American Women (NAMAW), Jewish Voice for Peace - Chicago.... 
 
Contact us at: ISMinChicago@aol.com or 773-267-5198
Visit: http://www.freegaza.org/ and sign on to the newslist for updates
 
Please distribute this appeal widely!
 
We will soon have a new page added to our website called witnessgaza.org. You will be able to follow us as we journey to Gaza over the next two weeks. You can watch our own 'video reports' twice a day, reports from the boats and from Gaza. Everything on the page is connected to make it easier for you to access TWITTER, Facebook, YouTube and FLICKR. Watch for it in the next day or so. 

For the update on the boats, the Turkish passenger ship left on May 22 from Istanbul to the next port to pick up more passengers. The Irish/Malaysian ship, the MV Rachel Corrie, is on her way to the Mediterranean. The Greek/Swedish cargo ship, the passenger boat from the European Campaign and the Free Gaza passenger boats are ready to leave Greece this week.

We will all meet in international waters off the coast of Gaza, turn and steam into Gaza City port sometime between May 28 and June 1 depending on the weather.

The Israelis are nervous.
The Palestinians from the occupied West Bank to Gaza to the Diaspora are ecstatic.
The internationals are determined.
The boats are ready.
The world waits.
 
This website is an effort to unite all channels of communication and support for the Freedom Flotilla initiative. In this single page you can track, in a single visit, our Twitter and Facebook posts, our Youtube uploads and watch our web TV channel on Livestream. You can also participate in live discussion via the channel's live chat.
Free Palestine Movement Digital Ship
fpmdigitalship.blogspot.com
This website is an effort to unite all channels of communication and support for the Freedom Flotilla initiative.In this single page you can track, in a single visit, our Twitter and Facebook posts, our Youtube uploads and watch our webTV channel on Livestream. .
 
We will soon have a new page added to our website called witnessgaza.org. You will be able to follow us as we journey to Gaza over the next two weeks. You can watch our own 'video reports' twice a day, reports from the boats and from Gaza. Everything on the page is connected to make it easier for you to access TWITTER, Facebook, YouTube and FLICKR. Watch for it in the next day or so. 
 

=====================================

Ambassador Clovis Maksoud and Dr. Azmi Bishara to address ADC Convention at Palestine Luncheon

 
 
Washington, DC | May 24, 2010 | www.adc.org | 

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is pleased to announce that the former Ambassador to the Arab League, Dr. Clovis Maksoud, and Dr. Azmi Bishara, former member of the Israeli Knesset, will address this year's Annual Palestine Luncheon during ADC's 30th Anniversary National Convention.
 
Dr. Bishara will be appearing via video-conference.  The luncheon will take place on Sunday, June 6, 2010, from 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.  Both speakers will focus on challenges facing the Middle East as well as assess the impact and effectiveness of historic peace negotiations. 
The theme for this year's anniversary convention is "Thirty Years of Advocacy and Achievements:  Strengthening the Voice of Equality and Justice." 
 
To register for the Convention please click here.  Individual tickets for the Palestine Luncheon can also be purchased by clicking here.  ADC has secured a special Convention hotel rate of only $139/night, single or double occupancy. You can reserve a hotel room at this rate by clicking here .  This rate expires this Wednesday May 26, 2010.
 
Biographical Information:
 
Ambassador Clovis Maksoud was the Chief Representative of the League of Arab States in India from 1961-1966. From 1967-1979, he served as the Senior Editor of Al-Ahram and then Chief Editor of Al-Nahar Weekly.  Ambassador Maksoud was appointed as the League of Arab States' Chief Representative to the United States and the United Nations on September 1, 1979. Dr. Maksoud is the author of several articles and books on the Middle East and the Global South.  He was the chairperson and convener of many conferences on environment and development, human rights, population, and disarmament. He is currently Professor of International Relations and Director of the Center for the Global South at the American University.  Dr. Maksoud graduated from The American University of Beirut, went on to receive his J.D. from the George Washington University in Washington, DC and did post-graduate studies at Oxford University in Britain.  Dr. Maksoud was married to late Dr. Hala Salam Maksoud, former President of ADC.
 
Dr. Azmi Bishara is a former member of the Israeli Knesset and founding member of the National Democratic Assembly (NDA), representing the Arab minority in Israel under the banner of national, democratic values.  The NDA and Dr. Bishara believe that equality in Israel rests upon the separation of state and religion, and the transformation of Israel from a state of the Jews to a state of its citizens. As such, the NDA combines the struggle for national rights and democracy into one political program, supporting the Arabs in Israel's right   to run their own cultural affairs and the right of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza to live in an independent Palestinian state. Dr. Bishara publishes in Arabic, English, German and Hebrew, writing articles and editing books on issues of nationalism, national minority rights in Israel, democracy and civil society, Islam and democracy, and the Palestinian question both in Israel and outside the Green Line. 
 
                                                                                 
For a full program please click here. 
 
To register please click here. 
 
ADC has secured a low hotel rate of only $139, which expires on May 26, to access the rate click here.
 
 ###
 
Contact: convention@adc.org
              202-244-2990
 
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), which is non-profit, non-sectarian and non-partisan, is the largest Arab-American civil rights organization in the United States. It was founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk to protect the civil rights of people of Arab descent in the United States and to promote the cultural heritage of the Arabs. ADC has 38 chapters nationwide, including chapters in every major city in the country, and members in all 50 states.
 
The ADC Research Institute (ADC-RI), which was founded in 1981, is a Section 501(c)(3) educational organization that sponsors a wide range of programs on behalf of Arab Americans and of importance to all Americans. ADC-RI programs include research studies, seminars, conferences and publications that document and analyze the discrimination faced by Arab Americans in the workplace, schools, media, and governmental agencies and institutions. ADC-RI also celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Arabs.

ADC Research Institute (ADC-RI) | www.adc.org
1732 Wisconsin Ave., NW | Washington, DC | 20007
Tel: 202-244-2990 | Fax: 202-333-3980 | E-mail: media@adc.org