As noted in my previous post, I am printing below the handout I prepared prior to a panel discussion in 2003 about the legality of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
QUOTES OVER THE YEARS ABOUT THE ILLEGALITY AND IMMORALITY OF THE SETTLEMENTS
1980 April 25, 1980 - Hon Arie Lova Eliav – his belief that Palestinians also have a right to the land led him being a prominent member of the Labor party to leadership of the doves “It also is the basis for his opposition to the present policy of establishing Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. This land, under his proposal is being held for the Palestinians subject to their agreement on demilitarization and other conditions.”
1991 -Michael Lerner on Linkage in Nov/Dec 1991 Tikkun Starting in early 1990 Shamir clearly announced his intention to use Soviet Jewish immigration to counter …the threat of higher Palestinian birth rates … But to carry out Shamir’s strategy, Israel needs loan money to be used inside Israel; this would then free up the billions of dollars for settlements on the West Bank… So in a supreme act of chutzpah, Shamir turned to the U.S. and asked Bush to provide the funds to make a mockery of Bush’s own land-for-peace policy.
2002 Core Vision and Founding Principles of the Tikkun Community “… the greatest obstacle to the creation of a state living up to the values of an ethically and spiritually renewed Judaism are the Occupation, the settlements, and what is described in Michael Lerner’s book Jewish Renewal as the “Settler Judaism” mentality.
2002 - Michael Lerner – June 24, 2002 - If the US wants peace, George Bush is going to have to summon the courage that allowed his father to stand up to the American friends of Israel’s Right wing. In 1991 that meant demanding a settlement freeze, but in 2002 that will mean support for an international intervention to separate and protect the two sides from each other and to impose a settlement which minimally requires an end to the Occupation and the settlements, reparations for the Palestinian refugees
2002 Jan Hayden – the settlements are currently an obstacle to peace - I want to get the US to move from the “obstacle to peace” language … downgraded from “illegal” over the years, back to stating that the US considers the settlements to be illegal, and therefore Israel must abandon them.
2002 - April 14 - Rabbi Ben-Zion Gold at Harvard Hillel – Building of Israeli settlements in parts of the West Bank has frustrated their (Palestinians) hopes. At this point three generations of Palestinians have lived for thirty-five years under Israeli occupation and the persistent building of settlements on their land has led to violent conflict. When Sharon was elected . . his commitment to the preservation of the settlements precluded the possibility of a peaceful resolution of the conflict. . the conflict can not be solved by power alone. Then by what? By removing the basis for the conflict. The Jewish settlements on the West Bank are a grave and dangerous mistake that have done much harm to Israel. Micah. “He has told you, O man, Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” By all means, Humbly.
2002 Brit Tzedek V’Shalom - Founding Principles – 6) The evacuation of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories. These settlements are a major obstacle to peace, a tremendous
financial burden to Israel and do little, in anything, to enhance Israel’s security. There settlements constantly endanger the settlers themselves and the Israeli soldiers sent to defend them, and they bring grave harm to the Palestinians living under Occupation. We call for bringing safely home to Israel the settlers from all settlements except those included as part of a negotiated and mutually agreed upon exchange of territories between Israel and Palestine in determining the final borders of both states.
2002 Archbishop Desmond Tutu statement – In a region where repressive governments and unjust policies are the norm, Israel is certainly more democratic that most of its neighbors. This does not make dismantling the settlements any less of a priority. . Over 35 new settlements have been constructed this year. Each one is a step away from the safety deserved by the Israelis and two steps away from the justice owed to the Palestinians. If apartheid ended, so can the occupation, but the moral force and international pressure will have to be just as determined.”
2002 Jimmy Carter – “Arial Sharon … rejection of all peace agreements that included Israeli withdrawal from Arab lands, his invasion of Lebanon … have all been orchestrated to accomplish his ultimate goals; to establish Israeli settlements as widely as possible throughout occupied territories and to deny Palestinians a cohesive political existence.”
2002 National Lawyers Guild – April 15, 2002 – More than 200,000 Israeli settlers now live in the West Bank in some 190 settlements linked by special highways (from which Palestinians vehicles are excluded) that have effectively cut the West Bank in isolated enclaves surrounded by Israeli military forces and checkpoints. In numerous resolutions, the UN Security Council and General Assembly have condemned these settlements as illegal under Article 49(b) of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an Occupying Power from transferring parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies. In May 20, 2001, the Mitchell Report urged that Israeli government completely freeze building more settlements. Nonetheless, Peace Now, reported in March 2002 that an aerial survey of the West Bank shower thirty-four new settlement sites build in the last year. The recent military offensive continues the same process that the settlements reflect, and in so doing is an attempt by Israel to effectively continue the occupation indefinitely or drive the Palestinian population from the West Bank.
2002 Rabbi Arthur Waskow - Periodically in Israeli public life, the question is raised about bringing settlers safely home from the Gaza settlement of Netzarim, where fifty families of Israeli settlers have required the presence of thousands of Israeli troops and the deaths of more than a dozen in order to protect them. Asked in an interview with Ha'aretz in April 2001, .. "Would you be ready to evacuate settlements as part of a non-belligerency agreement?", Sharon answered bluntly: "No. Absolutely not." "Not even isolated settlements like Netzarim in the Gaza Strip?", the interviewer followed up: "No. Not at any price," Sharon answered. "Why do we have to evacuate Netzarim? For what?" Later Prime Minister Sharon said that to him, this settlement is as precious as Tel Aviv.
2002 – July 27 - Yitzhak Frankenthal – My beloved son Arik, my own flesh and blood, was murdered by Palestinians. The Palestinians … have been ready to make peace with us; it is we who are unwilling to make peace with them .. as an occupation force it is we who trample over human dignity, it is we who crush the liberty of Palestinians and it is we who push an entire nation to crazy acts of despair. Finally, I call on my brothers and sisters in the settlements – see what we have come to.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
International Law and UN Resolutions Applicable to the Jewish Settlements
Most of the articles in this Blog have attempted to point out how the actions of the Government of Israel violate the laws and core values of Judaism.
Five years ago, I participated in a panel discussion about the illegality of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Prior to the presentation I prepared four handouts.
One was "Facts Which Might Apply to the Issue of the Legality of Settlements in the West Bank", a chronology of the growth of the settlements previously excerpted in a number of articles beginning with this one and continuing.
A second."A Case Study - Jewish Israelis Living in Hebron" was another chronology specifically directed at the Jewish settlers in Hebron and previously excerpted for a number of articles beginning with this one;
The third, "Quotes over the Years about the Illegality and Immorality of the Settlements", included an excerpt from a talk by Rabbi Ben-Zion Gold given when he was the head of Harvard Hillel. I previously published the full talk (including his statement that the settlements were a grave and dangerous mistake). I will publish the entire handout in my next post.
The final handout was entitled "Laws Which Might Apply to the Issue of the Legality of Settlements in the West Bank". I have reprinted this handout below. In my opinion, the Governments of Israel have for over 40 years deliberately violated international law and ignored numberous resolutions of the United Nations.
LAWS WHICH MIGHT APPLY TO THE ISSUE OF THE LEGALITY OF SETTLEMENTS IN THE WEST BANK
HAGUE CONVENTION ON THE LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND, AND ITS ATTACHED REGULATIONS, OF 1907 (on, among other topics, the temporary nature of military occupation) Article 55 states “The occupying State shall be regarded only as administrator and usufructuary of public buildings, real estate, forests, and agricultural estates belonging to the hostile State, and situated in the occupied country. It must safeguard the capital of these properties and administer them in accordance with the rules of usufruct (A right to the use and enjoyment of the fruits or profits of another’s property, without fundamentally changing its substance)
FOURTH GENEVA CONVENTION RELATIVE TO CIVILIAN PERSONS IN TIME OF WAR, OF 1949: ARTICLE 49 - “The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.” Article 35 is similar.
ARTICLE 2 OF THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER - renouncing the acquisition of territory by force
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 181 and 194 of 1949 – authorizing two states and the right of return of refugees – a condition of Israel’s admission to the United Nations
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967
The Security Council,
Expressing its continuing concern with the grave situation in the Middle East,Emphasizing the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war and the need to work for a just and lasting peace in which every State in the area can live in security,Emphasizing further that all Member States in their acceptance of the Charter of the United Nations have undertaken a commitment to act in accordance with Article 2 of the Charter,1. Affirms that the fulfillment of Charter principles requires the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East which should include the application of both the following principles:(i) Withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict;(ii) Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force;2. Affirms further the necessity(a) For guaranteeing freedom of navigation through international waterways in the area;(b) For achieving a just settlement of the refugee problem;(c) For guaranteeing the territorial inviolability and political independence of every State in the area, through measures including the establishment of demilitarized zones;3. Requests the Secretary-General to designate a Special Representative to proceed to the Middle East to establish and maintain contacts with the States concerned in order to promote agreement and assist efforts to achieve a peaceful and accepted settlement in accordance with the provisions and principles in this resolution;4. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council on the progress of the efforts of the Special Representative as soon as possible.
Adopted unanimously at the 1382nd meeting.
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 338 OF OCTOBER 22, 1973
The Security Council,
1.Calls upon all parties to present fighting to cease all firing and terminate all military activity immediately, no later than 12 hours after the moment of the adoption of this decision, in the positions after the moment of the adoption of this decision, in the positions they now occupy;
2.Calls upon all parties concerned to start immediately after the cease-fire the implementation of Security Council Resolution 242 (1967) in all of its parts;
3.Decides that, immediately and concurrently with the cease-fire, negotiations start between the parties concerned under appropriate auspices aimed at establishing a just and durable peace in the Middle East.
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 465 OF 1980
"Settlements and International Law – 5. Determines that all measures taken by Israel to change the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure or status of the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, or any part thereof, have no legal validity and that Israel's policy and practices of settling parts of its population and new immigrants in those territories constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and .. a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 132 of 2000 – Israel’s military response is “excessive force”.
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS drafted in two international conventions adopted by the United Nations in 1966: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
1.Right to Self-Determination – Art. 1 of both states “All peoples have the right to self-determination.”
2.Right to Equality – Art. 2 of both states “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status and furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.”
3.Right to Property – Art. 17 of both states “Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others and no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.”
4.Right to an Adequate Standard of Living – Art. 11 of ICESCR states: “The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing and to the continuous improvement of living conditions.”
5.Freedom of Movement - Article 12 of the ICCPR provides that everyone shall have the right to freedom of movement, without restrictions, in his country.
THE ROME STATUTE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (1998) defines “the transfer directly or indirectly by the Occupying Power of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies” as a War Crime indictable by the International Criminal Court.
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES AND OTHER JEWISH TEXTS:
Deutoronomy XVI, 20 “Justice, Justice shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live and inherit the land with the Lord thy God giveth thee”
Following are excerpts from footnoted material in the Hertz edition: Where there is no justice, no proper and practical appreciation of the human rights of every human being as sons of the one and only God of righteousness – there we have a negation of religion. The oppressor, the man who tramples on others, and especially on those like the orphan and the stranger who are too weak to defend themselves, is throughout Scripture held forth as the enemy of God and man. Nor is justice limited to the relation between individuals. It extends to the relation between group and group, and it asserts the claims of the poor upon the rich, of the helpless upon them who possess the means to help. And even as there is social justice, prescribing the duties of class to class, so there is international justice, which demands respect for the personality of each and every national group, and proclaims that no people can of right be robbed of its national life or territory, its language or spiritual heritage. The pure administration of justice is thus one of the conditions of Israel’s existence as a nation. Our teachers, from the first of them to the last, brand the perversion of the course of justice as the most alarming sign of national decay.
OTHER LAWS TO CONSIDER
1.Ottoman Empire Laws
2.Kingdom of Jordan Laws
3.Mandate for Palestine of the League of Nations appointing His Britannic Majesty as Mandatory for Palestine, July 24, 1922 – Articles 1-28
4.Armistice Agreements of 1949
5.Israeli Laws – Section 3 of the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty provides: “There shall be no violation of the property of a person.”
6.Israeli Independent Defense Force military orders
7.Oslo Agreement
8.United States Laws The Alien Tort Claims Act which allows non-US citizens to sue in US Courts for human rights violations that occur overseas such as the Burmese villages suit against UNOCAL
Five years ago, I participated in a panel discussion about the illegality of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Prior to the presentation I prepared four handouts.
One was "Facts Which Might Apply to the Issue of the Legality of Settlements in the West Bank", a chronology of the growth of the settlements previously excerpted in a number of articles beginning with this one and continuing.
A second."A Case Study - Jewish Israelis Living in Hebron" was another chronology specifically directed at the Jewish settlers in Hebron and previously excerpted for a number of articles beginning with this one;
The third, "Quotes over the Years about the Illegality and Immorality of the Settlements", included an excerpt from a talk by Rabbi Ben-Zion Gold given when he was the head of Harvard Hillel. I previously published the full talk (including his statement that the settlements were a grave and dangerous mistake). I will publish the entire handout in my next post.
The final handout was entitled "Laws Which Might Apply to the Issue of the Legality of Settlements in the West Bank". I have reprinted this handout below. In my opinion, the Governments of Israel have for over 40 years deliberately violated international law and ignored numberous resolutions of the United Nations.
LAWS WHICH MIGHT APPLY TO THE ISSUE OF THE LEGALITY OF SETTLEMENTS IN THE WEST BANK
HAGUE CONVENTION ON THE LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND, AND ITS ATTACHED REGULATIONS, OF 1907 (on, among other topics, the temporary nature of military occupation) Article 55 states “The occupying State shall be regarded only as administrator and usufructuary of public buildings, real estate, forests, and agricultural estates belonging to the hostile State, and situated in the occupied country. It must safeguard the capital of these properties and administer them in accordance with the rules of usufruct (A right to the use and enjoyment of the fruits or profits of another’s property, without fundamentally changing its substance)
FOURTH GENEVA CONVENTION RELATIVE TO CIVILIAN PERSONS IN TIME OF WAR, OF 1949: ARTICLE 49 - “The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.” Article 35 is similar.
ARTICLE 2 OF THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER - renouncing the acquisition of territory by force
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 181 and 194 of 1949 – authorizing two states and the right of return of refugees – a condition of Israel’s admission to the United Nations
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967
The Security Council,
Expressing its continuing concern with the grave situation in the Middle East,Emphasizing the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war and the need to work for a just and lasting peace in which every State in the area can live in security,Emphasizing further that all Member States in their acceptance of the Charter of the United Nations have undertaken a commitment to act in accordance with Article 2 of the Charter,1. Affirms that the fulfillment of Charter principles requires the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East which should include the application of both the following principles:(i) Withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict;(ii) Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force;2. Affirms further the necessity(a) For guaranteeing freedom of navigation through international waterways in the area;(b) For achieving a just settlement of the refugee problem;(c) For guaranteeing the territorial inviolability and political independence of every State in the area, through measures including the establishment of demilitarized zones;3. Requests the Secretary-General to designate a Special Representative to proceed to the Middle East to establish and maintain contacts with the States concerned in order to promote agreement and assist efforts to achieve a peaceful and accepted settlement in accordance with the provisions and principles in this resolution;4. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council on the progress of the efforts of the Special Representative as soon as possible.
Adopted unanimously at the 1382nd meeting.
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 338 OF OCTOBER 22, 1973
The Security Council,
1.Calls upon all parties to present fighting to cease all firing and terminate all military activity immediately, no later than 12 hours after the moment of the adoption of this decision, in the positions after the moment of the adoption of this decision, in the positions they now occupy;
2.Calls upon all parties concerned to start immediately after the cease-fire the implementation of Security Council Resolution 242 (1967) in all of its parts;
3.Decides that, immediately and concurrently with the cease-fire, negotiations start between the parties concerned under appropriate auspices aimed at establishing a just and durable peace in the Middle East.
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 465 OF 1980
"Settlements and International Law – 5. Determines that all measures taken by Israel to change the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure or status of the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, or any part thereof, have no legal validity and that Israel's policy and practices of settling parts of its population and new immigrants in those territories constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and .. a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 132 of 2000 – Israel’s military response is “excessive force”.
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS drafted in two international conventions adopted by the United Nations in 1966: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
1.Right to Self-Determination – Art. 1 of both states “All peoples have the right to self-determination.”
2.Right to Equality – Art. 2 of both states “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status and furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.”
3.Right to Property – Art. 17 of both states “Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others and no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.”
4.Right to an Adequate Standard of Living – Art. 11 of ICESCR states: “The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing and to the continuous improvement of living conditions.”
5.Freedom of Movement - Article 12 of the ICCPR provides that everyone shall have the right to freedom of movement, without restrictions, in his country.
THE ROME STATUTE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (1998) defines “the transfer directly or indirectly by the Occupying Power of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies” as a War Crime indictable by the International Criminal Court.
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES AND OTHER JEWISH TEXTS:
Deutoronomy XVI, 20 “Justice, Justice shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live and inherit the land with the Lord thy God giveth thee”
Following are excerpts from footnoted material in the Hertz edition: Where there is no justice, no proper and practical appreciation of the human rights of every human being as sons of the one and only God of righteousness – there we have a negation of religion. The oppressor, the man who tramples on others, and especially on those like the orphan and the stranger who are too weak to defend themselves, is throughout Scripture held forth as the enemy of God and man. Nor is justice limited to the relation between individuals. It extends to the relation between group and group, and it asserts the claims of the poor upon the rich, of the helpless upon them who possess the means to help. And even as there is social justice, prescribing the duties of class to class, so there is international justice, which demands respect for the personality of each and every national group, and proclaims that no people can of right be robbed of its national life or territory, its language or spiritual heritage. The pure administration of justice is thus one of the conditions of Israel’s existence as a nation. Our teachers, from the first of them to the last, brand the perversion of the course of justice as the most alarming sign of national decay.
OTHER LAWS TO CONSIDER
1.Ottoman Empire Laws
2.Kingdom of Jordan Laws
3.Mandate for Palestine of the League of Nations appointing His Britannic Majesty as Mandatory for Palestine, July 24, 1922 – Articles 1-28
4.Armistice Agreements of 1949
5.Israeli Laws – Section 3 of the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty provides: “There shall be no violation of the property of a person.”
6.Israeli Independent Defense Force military orders
7.Oslo Agreement
8.United States Laws The Alien Tort Claims Act which allows non-US citizens to sue in US Courts for human rights violations that occur overseas such as the Burmese villages suit against UNOCAL
Friday, October 5, 2007
Another in a Series of Lame Satires
Another is a series of lame satires meant as serious efforts to point out the hypocrisy of substituting short term self interest for long tem social justice. .
The Actual Non-Fiction Background can be found Here in my Previous Post and Should be Read First
Bogus Headline Stories - October 5, 2007
AUNG SAN LUU KYI DISINVITED FROM SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT
Word has just been received that the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Aung San Luu Kwi, who, through extensive negotiations, had received permission to leave her home, where for years she has been under house arrest, to speak in the United States has been informed in a letter that she is no longer welcome to speak at Temple Beth Your Bottom Dollar.
The temple noted her ongoing comments critical of the Military Junta that rules Burma with an iron hand, especially her recent criticisms of the recent crackdown in which the military shot and killed protesters who had thrown objects at the soldiers and based their decision on objections heard from a variety of sources.
Noted Law Professor Ellen Trashowitz strongly objected to singling out one government when there are so many other places around the world where a ruling party is subjecting many of its people to brutal treatment in violation of international human rights. (She did note also that in 1990, the Burma military junta had proposed that their citizens be referred to as “The Chosen People” but, unfortunately, that name had already been trademarked a few thousand years ago by Korea.)
Alan Wolfman, the head of the LABGI (League against Anyone who Badmouths the Government of Israel), has pointed out that although there is no proof, there have been reports through the years of sales of military equipment and supplies by Israel to the Burma military junta which need to be denied regularly by the Government of Israel as in the concluding sentence of this recent Ha’aretz article. Keeping that in mind, he strongly objected to Aung San Luu Kwi being given a forum to attack the government of Burma because it would give credence to the libels against the State of Israel similar to those in the Protocols of Zion and would be therefore, while not directly anti-semitic, a platform for those who are anti-semites.
The American Israel Politically Motivated Council (AIPMC) weighed in also by noting a recent speech in Geneva by the Burma Ambassador to the UN, U Nyunt Swe (Mr. Kyaw Tint Swe) in which he said that the protests had sought to overthrow the regime and had been stoked by outside interests, but that the government had managed to restore calm, that the government has firm evidence that these protests were being helped both financially and materially by internal and external anti-government elements. He added that as all are aware, things have calmed down and we are able to bring normalisation to the situation. “It is clear to us in AIPMC that these protestors are troublemakers and that whatever force is needed must be taken to prevent further disruption in the country.”
Not unexpectedly a statement was received from the White House drafted by the White House foreign affairs consulting firm of Foxowitz, Pearls, Popes and Abrahams “Keep her outta there. She’s working with those Buddhist monks who are nothing but a pack of terrorists jealous of the freedoms provided by the Burma Military Junta. We don’t know whether we would even give her a visa or allow her into the United States”
The Council of Burmese Presidents (CBP) and the American Burma Public Affairs Committee (ABPAC) demanded that there be balance and that no presentation be permitted unless someone from the Military Junta’s State Peace and Development Council be present to provide the other side to the story. While there have been anecdotal evidence of pressure and intimidation through the years by these two organizations to prevent open discussion about the brutality of the government, it is expected that a book soon to be published, “The Burma Lobby”, written by two respected scholars (both expects on Burma and the writings of George Bernard Shaw and known as “BurmaShavians”) will finally provide a forum for a deeper examination of the tentacles of influence of Burma’s Peace and Development Council.
The temple said that, after extensive outreach, they had been unable to get Senior Gen. Than Shwe (the superstitious one who consults with astrologers but is extremely taciturn in public) or the ruthless Deputy Senior General Maung Aye to agree to participate in the program thereby forcing then to take back the invitation to Aung San Luu Kwi.
UNIVERSITY OF ST. RANGOON BARS SPEECH BY JESUS
In a related surprise announcement, the President of the University of St. Rangoon has demanded the cancellation of a program being sponsored by that school’s Peace and Justice Foundation. The keynote speaker was to be Jesus who agreed to return to earth to provide comments about the current situation in Burma. The President had been informed by a member of the Burmese Community Relations Council that in the New Testament, more specifically in Matthew, Jesus been quoted as follows: "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" … “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" … "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." The President believes that these quotes were, in effect, critical of the government of Burma and that, for this reason, Jesus should be barred from the campus.
The Actual Non-Fiction Background can be found Here in my Previous Post and Should be Read First
Bogus Headline Stories - October 5, 2007
AUNG SAN LUU KYI DISINVITED FROM SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT
Word has just been received that the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Aung San Luu Kwi, who, through extensive negotiations, had received permission to leave her home, where for years she has been under house arrest, to speak in the United States has been informed in a letter that she is no longer welcome to speak at Temple Beth Your Bottom Dollar.
The temple noted her ongoing comments critical of the Military Junta that rules Burma with an iron hand, especially her recent criticisms of the recent crackdown in which the military shot and killed protesters who had thrown objects at the soldiers and based their decision on objections heard from a variety of sources.
Noted Law Professor Ellen Trashowitz strongly objected to singling out one government when there are so many other places around the world where a ruling party is subjecting many of its people to brutal treatment in violation of international human rights. (She did note also that in 1990, the Burma military junta had proposed that their citizens be referred to as “The Chosen People” but, unfortunately, that name had already been trademarked a few thousand years ago by Korea.)
Alan Wolfman, the head of the LABGI (League against Anyone who Badmouths the Government of Israel), has pointed out that although there is no proof, there have been reports through the years of sales of military equipment and supplies by Israel to the Burma military junta which need to be denied regularly by the Government of Israel as in the concluding sentence of this recent Ha’aretz article. Keeping that in mind, he strongly objected to Aung San Luu Kwi being given a forum to attack the government of Burma because it would give credence to the libels against the State of Israel similar to those in the Protocols of Zion and would be therefore, while not directly anti-semitic, a platform for those who are anti-semites.
The American Israel Politically Motivated Council (AIPMC) weighed in also by noting a recent speech in Geneva by the Burma Ambassador to the UN, U Nyunt Swe (Mr. Kyaw Tint Swe) in which he said that the protests had sought to overthrow the regime and had been stoked by outside interests, but that the government had managed to restore calm, that the government has firm evidence that these protests were being helped both financially and materially by internal and external anti-government elements. He added that as all are aware, things have calmed down and we are able to bring normalisation to the situation. “It is clear to us in AIPMC that these protestors are troublemakers and that whatever force is needed must be taken to prevent further disruption in the country.”
Not unexpectedly a statement was received from the White House drafted by the White House foreign affairs consulting firm of Foxowitz, Pearls, Popes and Abrahams “Keep her outta there. She’s working with those Buddhist monks who are nothing but a pack of terrorists jealous of the freedoms provided by the Burma Military Junta. We don’t know whether we would even give her a visa or allow her into the United States”
The Council of Burmese Presidents (CBP) and the American Burma Public Affairs Committee (ABPAC) demanded that there be balance and that no presentation be permitted unless someone from the Military Junta’s State Peace and Development Council be present to provide the other side to the story. While there have been anecdotal evidence of pressure and intimidation through the years by these two organizations to prevent open discussion about the brutality of the government, it is expected that a book soon to be published, “The Burma Lobby”, written by two respected scholars (both expects on Burma and the writings of George Bernard Shaw and known as “BurmaShavians”) will finally provide a forum for a deeper examination of the tentacles of influence of Burma’s Peace and Development Council.
The temple said that, after extensive outreach, they had been unable to get Senior Gen. Than Shwe (the superstitious one who consults with astrologers but is extremely taciturn in public) or the ruthless Deputy Senior General Maung Aye to agree to participate in the program thereby forcing then to take back the invitation to Aung San Luu Kwi.
UNIVERSITY OF ST. RANGOON BARS SPEECH BY JESUS
In a related surprise announcement, the President of the University of St. Rangoon has demanded the cancellation of a program being sponsored by that school’s Peace and Justice Foundation. The keynote speaker was to be Jesus who agreed to return to earth to provide comments about the current situation in Burma. The President had been informed by a member of the Burmese Community Relations Council that in the New Testament, more specifically in Matthew, Jesus been quoted as follows: "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" … “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" … "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." The President believes that these quotes were, in effect, critical of the government of Burma and that, for this reason, Jesus should be barred from the campus.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Burma (Myanmar) and Aung San Suu Kyi
You might be interested in some historical and current information about Burma (also referred to as Myanmar) as well as Aung San Suu Kyi.
I have written this primarily based on material gathered from Wikipedia on Burma (Myanmar) and Aung San Suu Kyi.
The political system of Burma remains under the tight control of the State Peace and Development Council, the military government led, since 1992, by Senior General Than Shwe, first among equals in the current regime. He is said to be superstitious and to consult with astrologers, but otherwise has a public image that is taciturn in the extreme. No. 2 is Deputy Senior Gen. Maung Aye, whose reputation is, if anything, more ruthless than Than Shwe's, probably because he has more field combat experience from fighting ethnic rebels. Soldiers in the 400,000-strong military live secluded from civilian life in isolated barracks; their families are provided with housing as well.
The Burmese military has dominated government since General Ne Win led a coup in 1962 that toppled the civilian government of U Nu. Part of the British Empire until 1948, Burma continues to struggle to mend its ethnic tensions.
In 1988, the Burmese army violently repressed protests against economic mismanagement and political oppression. On 8 August 1988, the military opened fire on demonstrators in what is known as 8888 Uprising and imposed martial law. However, the 1988 protests paved way for the 1990 People’s Assembly elections. The election results were subsequently annulled by Senior General Saw Maung’s government. The National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won over 60% of the vote and over 80% of parliamentary seats in the 1990 election, the first held in 30 years. The military-backed National Unity Party won less than 2% of the seats.
Aung San Suu Kyi has earned international recognition as an activist for the return of democratic rule, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. The decision of the Nobel Committee mentions: The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 1991 to Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar (Burma) for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights. ...Suu Kyi's struggle is one of the most extraordinary examples of civil courage in Asia in recent decades. She has become an important symbol in the struggle against oppression.....In awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for 1991 to Aung San Suu Kyi, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to honour this woman for her unflagging efforts and to show its support for the many people throughout the world who are striving to attain democracy, human rights and ethnic conciliation by peaceful means
The junta faces increasing pressure from the United States and the United Kingdom. Burma’s situation was referred to the UN Security Council for the first time in December 2005 for an informal consultation.
The ruling regime has repeatedly placed her under house arrest. Despite a direct appeal by former U.N Secretary General Kofi Annan to Senior General Than Shwe and pressure by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Burmese military junta extended Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest another year on 27 May 2006 under the 1975 State Protection Act, which grants the government the right to detain any persons on the grounds of protecting peace and stability in the country.
In September 2006, ten of the United Nations Security Council’s 15 members voted to place Burma on the council’s formal agenda. On Independence Day, 4 January 2007, the government released 40 political prisoners, under a general amnesty, in which 2,831 prisoners were released. On 8 January 2007, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the national government to free all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
On May 16, 2007, 59 world leaders released a letter demanding Burma's military government free Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. The signatories include all three surviving former US presidents, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton; the former UK prime minister, Margaret Thatcher; Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former President of Poland, Lech Wałęsa; as well as Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former South Korean president, Kim Dae-jung, amongst many others.
On 25 May 2007, Burma extended Suu Kyi's detention for yet another year which would keep her confined to her residence for a fifth straight year.
After her confinement was again extended, current Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon said in a statement that "the sooner restrictions on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political figures are lifted, the sooner Burma will be able to move towards inclusive national reconciliation, and the restoration of democracy and full respect for human rights."
On June 17, 2007, Aung San Suu Kyi's 62nd birthday, Senators Mitch McConnell and Diane Feinstein in the United States Senate urged the continuation of trade sanctions on the Burma government. In a statement, McConnell said "The best gift we can give Suu Kyi on this day is to continue to urge the international community to press for her immediate and unconditional release, as well as the release of all prisoners of conscience."
Protests led by Buddhist monks began on 19 August 2007 following steep fuel price increases, and continued each day, despite the threat of a crackdown by the military.
On Saturday, 22 September 2007, although still under house arrest, Suu Kyi made a brief public appearance at the gate of her residence in Rangoon (also known as Yangon) to accept the blessings of Buddhist monks who were marching in support of human rights.
Here is a September 26, 2007 AFP report from Rangoon "Nine killed as Myanmar junta cracks down on protests — Security forces swept through Myanmar's main city Thursday, killing nine people including a Japanese journalist, and arresting hundreds more in a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests. At least 50,000 people, many of them youths and students, swarmed into Yangon undeterred by the deaths the day before of at least four protesters, including three Buddhist monks, and repeatedly defied orders to disperse. As the shots rang out, they ran for their lives, only to regroup and face down the might of Myanmar's junta which has exerted iron rule over the impoverished country for more than four decades. In six hours of chaotic protests, state media said nine people were killed and another 11 protesters injured including one woman. The protesters threw bricks, sticks and knives at the security forces, so because of the desperate situation the security forces had to fire warning shots," it said, adding 31 police and soldiers were also wounded."
On 30 September 2007, in relation to rising political unrest in Burma, a United Nations emissary Ibrahim Gambari spent over an hour meeting with aung San Suu Kwi (whose name often includes the word "Daw", a term of respect usually for an older woman, somewhat like "aunt") near her guarded Rangoon home.
On 2 October 2007 Gambari returned to talk to her again after seeing Than Shwe and other members of the senior leadership in Naypyitaw.
Speaking at the session in Geneva, Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations, U Nyunt Swe, said the protests had sought to overthrow the regime and had been stoked by outside interests, but that the government had managed to restore calm. "The government has firm evidence that these protests were being helped both financially and materially by internal and external anti-government elements," he said. "As all are aware, things have calmed down. We are able to bring normalisation to the situation," he added.
I have written this primarily based on material gathered from Wikipedia on Burma (Myanmar) and Aung San Suu Kyi.
The political system of Burma remains under the tight control of the State Peace and Development Council, the military government led, since 1992, by Senior General Than Shwe, first among equals in the current regime. He is said to be superstitious and to consult with astrologers, but otherwise has a public image that is taciturn in the extreme. No. 2 is Deputy Senior Gen. Maung Aye, whose reputation is, if anything, more ruthless than Than Shwe's, probably because he has more field combat experience from fighting ethnic rebels. Soldiers in the 400,000-strong military live secluded from civilian life in isolated barracks; their families are provided with housing as well.
The Burmese military has dominated government since General Ne Win led a coup in 1962 that toppled the civilian government of U Nu. Part of the British Empire until 1948, Burma continues to struggle to mend its ethnic tensions.
In 1988, the Burmese army violently repressed protests against economic mismanagement and political oppression. On 8 August 1988, the military opened fire on demonstrators in what is known as 8888 Uprising and imposed martial law. However, the 1988 protests paved way for the 1990 People’s Assembly elections. The election results were subsequently annulled by Senior General Saw Maung’s government. The National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won over 60% of the vote and over 80% of parliamentary seats in the 1990 election, the first held in 30 years. The military-backed National Unity Party won less than 2% of the seats.
Aung San Suu Kyi has earned international recognition as an activist for the return of democratic rule, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. The decision of the Nobel Committee mentions: The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 1991 to Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar (Burma) for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights. ...Suu Kyi's struggle is one of the most extraordinary examples of civil courage in Asia in recent decades. She has become an important symbol in the struggle against oppression.....In awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for 1991 to Aung San Suu Kyi, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to honour this woman for her unflagging efforts and to show its support for the many people throughout the world who are striving to attain democracy, human rights and ethnic conciliation by peaceful means
The junta faces increasing pressure from the United States and the United Kingdom. Burma’s situation was referred to the UN Security Council for the first time in December 2005 for an informal consultation.
The ruling regime has repeatedly placed her under house arrest. Despite a direct appeal by former U.N Secretary General Kofi Annan to Senior General Than Shwe and pressure by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Burmese military junta extended Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest another year on 27 May 2006 under the 1975 State Protection Act, which grants the government the right to detain any persons on the grounds of protecting peace and stability in the country.
In September 2006, ten of the United Nations Security Council’s 15 members voted to place Burma on the council’s formal agenda. On Independence Day, 4 January 2007, the government released 40 political prisoners, under a general amnesty, in which 2,831 prisoners were released. On 8 January 2007, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the national government to free all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
On May 16, 2007, 59 world leaders released a letter demanding Burma's military government free Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. The signatories include all three surviving former US presidents, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton; the former UK prime minister, Margaret Thatcher; Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former President of Poland, Lech Wałęsa; as well as Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former South Korean president, Kim Dae-jung, amongst many others.
On 25 May 2007, Burma extended Suu Kyi's detention for yet another year which would keep her confined to her residence for a fifth straight year.
After her confinement was again extended, current Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon said in a statement that "the sooner restrictions on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political figures are lifted, the sooner Burma will be able to move towards inclusive national reconciliation, and the restoration of democracy and full respect for human rights."
On June 17, 2007, Aung San Suu Kyi's 62nd birthday, Senators Mitch McConnell and Diane Feinstein in the United States Senate urged the continuation of trade sanctions on the Burma government. In a statement, McConnell said "The best gift we can give Suu Kyi on this day is to continue to urge the international community to press for her immediate and unconditional release, as well as the release of all prisoners of conscience."
Protests led by Buddhist monks began on 19 August 2007 following steep fuel price increases, and continued each day, despite the threat of a crackdown by the military.
On Saturday, 22 September 2007, although still under house arrest, Suu Kyi made a brief public appearance at the gate of her residence in Rangoon (also known as Yangon) to accept the blessings of Buddhist monks who were marching in support of human rights.
Here is a September 26, 2007 AFP report from Rangoon "Nine killed as Myanmar junta cracks down on protests — Security forces swept through Myanmar's main city Thursday, killing nine people including a Japanese journalist, and arresting hundreds more in a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests. At least 50,000 people, many of them youths and students, swarmed into Yangon undeterred by the deaths the day before of at least four protesters, including three Buddhist monks, and repeatedly defied orders to disperse. As the shots rang out, they ran for their lives, only to regroup and face down the might of Myanmar's junta which has exerted iron rule over the impoverished country for more than four decades. In six hours of chaotic protests, state media said nine people were killed and another 11 protesters injured including one woman. The protesters threw bricks, sticks and knives at the security forces, so because of the desperate situation the security forces had to fire warning shots," it said, adding 31 police and soldiers were also wounded."
On 30 September 2007, in relation to rising political unrest in Burma, a United Nations emissary Ibrahim Gambari spent over an hour meeting with aung San Suu Kwi (whose name often includes the word "Daw", a term of respect usually for an older woman, somewhat like "aunt") near her guarded Rangoon home.
On 2 October 2007 Gambari returned to talk to her again after seeing Than Shwe and other members of the senior leadership in Naypyitaw.
Speaking at the session in Geneva, Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations, U Nyunt Swe, said the protests had sought to overthrow the regime and had been stoked by outside interests, but that the government had managed to restore calm. "The government has firm evidence that these protests were being helped both financially and materially by internal and external anti-government elements," he said. "As all are aware, things have calmed down. We are able to bring normalisation to the situation," he added.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Bustan - Devorah Brous/Ra'ed Mickawi U.S. Speaking Tour
If you have been reading the articles on this Blog, you know much about the extraordinary Devorah Brous who, nine years ago, founded Bustan (if not, look at the five part series beginning here). Attached below is a her letter of resignation as Director and the schedule of her U.S. tour speaking engagements with the new Director, Ra'ed Al Mickawi. I encourage you to attend one of these so that you can hear them speak about their not only symbolic but critically needed projects.
Ron
LETTER FROM DEVORAH BROUS ABOUT LEAVING BUSTAN
Shalom, Marhaba
It is with both excitement and a touch of sadness that I write to let you know that my last day as director of BUSTAN will be September 30th, 2007. I'm leaving Israel, likely to pursue a PhD while helping establish Friends of BUSTAN, U.S.
For years, I've dreamed of transitioning BUSTAN to new leadership that reflects the diversity of our community. Our staff, board, interns, and consultants now include Israelis, both Jewish and Bedouin, as well as internationals - leaving us well positioned both locally and internationally. We also recently opened our Green Center in Beersheva, so we have a home in the Negev. With these accomplishments, I leave BUSTAN with full confidence - knowing that our innovative work will continue to grow and flourish in the competent hands of Ra'ed Al-Mickawi and our experienced staff. Ra’ed was born and raised in Tel Sheva, a government-planned Bedouin township, and worked previously in filmmaking and public relations. He joined BUSTAN after covering our project to build the Tel Sheva Learning Site for Medicinal Herbs. He was so inspired that he made a complete career change - this is indicative of the passion and commitment that Ra'ed brings to the job and I am sure that under his leadership BUSTAN will thrive.
We have continued the struggle with integrity. We have gained many supporters that challenge forced relocation policies, the unsustainable industrialization of land and culture and its accompanying bankrollers and supporters - the greenwashers. We have gained members and friends that promote the fair and sustainable allocation of public resources. I planted seeds 9 years ago that have now sprouted into an orchard with a 4 person staff and a humble Green Center in Beer Sheva, with some of Israel's most renowned and visionary green designers as BUSTAN consultants. There is much work to be done to go beyond slogans and symbols as we strive to affect change in the Negev's “Last Frontier.”
Thank you, each and every one of you. I recognize the time and energy you've given, the abundance of creativity you've offered, the teachings and lessons we've shared, the pains we've worked through over the years have impacted my life. BUSTAN has been an incredible journey for me, much more than just a job. Working with our community in the fight for social and environmental justice in the Negev has really opened my eyes to see what is unseen in the world. It has been both a challenge and a gift to work alongside you in this struggle.
Shalom, Masalaama, Devorah
DEVORAH BROUS AND RA’ED AL-MICKAWI U.S. SPEAKING TOUR DATES
Shalom, Marhaba
What: Rooting and Uprooting: Cultural and Political Landscapes
When: October 10th-30th, 2007
Who: Outgoing BUSTAN Director, Devorah Brous and New BUSTAN Director, Ra'ed Al-Mickawi
Devorah and Ra'ed will discuss the political ecology of the Negev, and help us recognize what is 'unrecognized' this marginalized part of Israel - an area populated by Jews and Bedouin. How are "environmentally-conscious" development projects to remap the blueprint of the Israel's "Last Frontier" irreversibly impacting landscape and ancient desert cultures? What can we do to catalyze and steward a healthy and sustainable connection with the Land, and all of its people? Come and learn about BUSTAN, engaged in small-scale, local efforts to root social justice.
BUSTAN is a partnership of Jewish and Arab eco-builders, architects, academics, and farmers promoting social and environmental justice in Israel/Palestine. BUSTAN cultivates models of sustainable resource use and combines in-depth political analysis with strategic action. BUSTAN utilizes the principles of permaculture and non-violent direct action across ethnic divides.
Devorah Brous — Founder, BUSTAN An American-Israeli, Brous graduated from the University of Vermont, and moved to Israel in 1993. She has spent the past 14 years catalyzing projects and designing, and running campaigns in Israel and the Occupied Territories to promote social and environmental justice. Devorah holds 2 masters degrees in Israel Studies and Peace/Conflict Studies, with a concentration in conflict transformation. In 1999, she founded BUSTAN. Brous is a writer, and an internationally-renowned speaker on the conflict between Israel and the Bedouin; Greenwashing; and the political and strategic aspects of environmental policies in the region.
Ra'ed Almickawi - Director, BUSTAN Ra'ed was born and raised in the government planned township of Tel Sheva in the Negev. Ra'ed's background is in filmmaking and journalism, which he studied in the Television Journalism department of Sapir Academic College in the Negev. He worked for six years in television production, advertising, and corporate branding and image development. In 2006, Ra'ed returned to Sapir Academic College to study cinema, and in 2007 he established the revolutionary internet-based television station Naqab.tv. He ran Naqab.tv as a part of Sendyan Public Relations, a company he founded with his brother. It was through developing news stories about BUSTAN that Ra'ed encountered BUSTAN. He is excited about this opportunity to merge his expertise in filmmaking and journalism with community building and social justice activism through BUSTAN. Ra'ed lives in Tel Sheva with his family.
Arcata, CA Wednesday, October 10th, 2007, 7PMTemple Beth El, P.O. Box 442,
Eureka, CA 95502(707) 444-2846 bethel@reninet.comWebsite: http://www.tbe-eureka.org/Rabbi Naomi Steinberg, naomi@humboldt1.com
Bay Area, CA Saturday, October 13, 6:00 PM The International House - 10 College Park Road, DavisLive Music and Light RefreshmentsPresented by Friends of Bustan, U.S. and Israel Peace Alternatives
Sunday, October 14, 7:00 pmFellowship Hall, First Baptist Church - 305 N. California Ave (at Bryant), Palo Alto$5 - $15 Suggested donation // Wheelchair accessibleSponsored by Peninsula Peace and Justice Center, South Bay Jewish Voice for Peace, Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justicehttp://www.peaceandjustice.org/ southbay@jewishvoiceforpeace.org http://www.multifaithpeace.org/ For information, please call (650) 326-8837
Monday, October 15th, 7:30 pm Chochmat HaLev Center for Jewish Spirituality - 2215 Prince St. South Berkeley $5-20 donationPlus special guest Moh Alileche will perform traditional Amazigh music from his native Algeria.
Tuscon, AZ Wednesday, October 17th - TBA
Thursday, October 18th, 6:00 PMTemple Emanu-El, 225 Country Club Rd. (Tentative)Contact info: Racheli Gai (520) 407-1432 racheli@sonoracohousing.com
Phoenix, AZ Thursday, October 19th - Friday, October 20thTBA
Bloomington, Indiana Sunday, October 21st, 4-6pmWylie Hall Room #015 at Indiana University campusAllison Marie Strang: tsetse2554@hotmail.com
Detroit, Michigan TBAAlan Habar - megiddo@umich.edu
Illinois, Chicago Tuesday, October 23rd, 7pmAFSC Headquarters, Grace Place, 637 S. Dearborn, 7 PMContact info: Lynn Pollack, lynnpollack@ameritech.net, 312- 427-2533, Cell-312-847-902-4455;Miryam Rashid, MRashid@afsc.org, 312-427-2533x18.
Wednesday, October 24, 6PM Orland Park LibraryContact info: Ray Hanania, rayhanania@comcast.net, Cell- 312-933-9855; Fax- 708-575-9078..
Ohio, Yellow Springs, Thursday, October 25th, 7PM Antioch CollegePatricia Mische, geapatmische@aol. com, 937-769-1083, 212-870-3290.
Friday, October 26th - Sunday evening, October 28 Community Solution Conference Pat Murphy, pmurphy@communitysolution.org, 937-767-2161; alternative (more likely) megan@communitysolution.org; 937-767-2161Jay Rothman, jrothman @ariagroup.com, Cell-937- 580-5102 will provide 10/26 & 10/27 lodging (1050 President St., Yellow Springs).
Overall Back-up: Howard Cort, Chicago & Yellow Springs howard@empireone. net, 773-472-7828
Northampton, MA Monday, October 29, 7PMRabbi Riqi Kosovske, http://www.beitahavah.org/, 413-587-3770BUSTAN event held at Florence Congregational Church with Beit Ahavah - The Reform Synagogue of Greater Northampton130 Pine Street, Florence, MA 01062
Albany, NY October 30th - TBAMeet with Leaders of Mohawk Nation, Stuart, and Stone of CanadaR Stone
Ron
LETTER FROM DEVORAH BROUS ABOUT LEAVING BUSTAN
Shalom, Marhaba
It is with both excitement and a touch of sadness that I write to let you know that my last day as director of BUSTAN will be September 30th, 2007. I'm leaving Israel, likely to pursue a PhD while helping establish Friends of BUSTAN, U.S.
For years, I've dreamed of transitioning BUSTAN to new leadership that reflects the diversity of our community. Our staff, board, interns, and consultants now include Israelis, both Jewish and Bedouin, as well as internationals - leaving us well positioned both locally and internationally. We also recently opened our Green Center in Beersheva, so we have a home in the Negev. With these accomplishments, I leave BUSTAN with full confidence - knowing that our innovative work will continue to grow and flourish in the competent hands of Ra'ed Al-Mickawi and our experienced staff. Ra’ed was born and raised in Tel Sheva, a government-planned Bedouin township, and worked previously in filmmaking and public relations. He joined BUSTAN after covering our project to build the Tel Sheva Learning Site for Medicinal Herbs. He was so inspired that he made a complete career change - this is indicative of the passion and commitment that Ra'ed brings to the job and I am sure that under his leadership BUSTAN will thrive.
We have continued the struggle with integrity. We have gained many supporters that challenge forced relocation policies, the unsustainable industrialization of land and culture and its accompanying bankrollers and supporters - the greenwashers. We have gained members and friends that promote the fair and sustainable allocation of public resources. I planted seeds 9 years ago that have now sprouted into an orchard with a 4 person staff and a humble Green Center in Beer Sheva, with some of Israel's most renowned and visionary green designers as BUSTAN consultants. There is much work to be done to go beyond slogans and symbols as we strive to affect change in the Negev's “Last Frontier.”
Thank you, each and every one of you. I recognize the time and energy you've given, the abundance of creativity you've offered, the teachings and lessons we've shared, the pains we've worked through over the years have impacted my life. BUSTAN has been an incredible journey for me, much more than just a job. Working with our community in the fight for social and environmental justice in the Negev has really opened my eyes to see what is unseen in the world. It has been both a challenge and a gift to work alongside you in this struggle.
Shalom, Masalaama, Devorah
DEVORAH BROUS AND RA’ED AL-MICKAWI U.S. SPEAKING TOUR DATES
Shalom, Marhaba
What: Rooting and Uprooting: Cultural and Political Landscapes
When: October 10th-30th, 2007
Who: Outgoing BUSTAN Director, Devorah Brous and New BUSTAN Director, Ra'ed Al-Mickawi
Devorah and Ra'ed will discuss the political ecology of the Negev, and help us recognize what is 'unrecognized' this marginalized part of Israel - an area populated by Jews and Bedouin. How are "environmentally-conscious" development projects to remap the blueprint of the Israel's "Last Frontier" irreversibly impacting landscape and ancient desert cultures? What can we do to catalyze and steward a healthy and sustainable connection with the Land, and all of its people? Come and learn about BUSTAN, engaged in small-scale, local efforts to root social justice.
BUSTAN is a partnership of Jewish and Arab eco-builders, architects, academics, and farmers promoting social and environmental justice in Israel/Palestine. BUSTAN cultivates models of sustainable resource use and combines in-depth political analysis with strategic action. BUSTAN utilizes the principles of permaculture and non-violent direct action across ethnic divides.
Devorah Brous — Founder, BUSTAN An American-Israeli, Brous graduated from the University of Vermont, and moved to Israel in 1993. She has spent the past 14 years catalyzing projects and designing, and running campaigns in Israel and the Occupied Territories to promote social and environmental justice. Devorah holds 2 masters degrees in Israel Studies and Peace/Conflict Studies, with a concentration in conflict transformation. In 1999, she founded BUSTAN. Brous is a writer, and an internationally-renowned speaker on the conflict between Israel and the Bedouin; Greenwashing; and the political and strategic aspects of environmental policies in the region.
Ra'ed Almickawi - Director, BUSTAN Ra'ed was born and raised in the government planned township of Tel Sheva in the Negev. Ra'ed's background is in filmmaking and journalism, which he studied in the Television Journalism department of Sapir Academic College in the Negev. He worked for six years in television production, advertising, and corporate branding and image development. In 2006, Ra'ed returned to Sapir Academic College to study cinema, and in 2007 he established the revolutionary internet-based television station Naqab.tv. He ran Naqab.tv as a part of Sendyan Public Relations, a company he founded with his brother. It was through developing news stories about BUSTAN that Ra'ed encountered BUSTAN. He is excited about this opportunity to merge his expertise in filmmaking and journalism with community building and social justice activism through BUSTAN. Ra'ed lives in Tel Sheva with his family.
Arcata, CA Wednesday, October 10th, 2007, 7PMTemple Beth El, P.O. Box 442,
Eureka, CA 95502(707) 444-2846 bethel@reninet.comWebsite: http://www.tbe-eureka.org/Rabbi Naomi Steinberg, naomi@humboldt1.com
Bay Area, CA Saturday, October 13, 6:00 PM The International House - 10 College Park Road, DavisLive Music and Light RefreshmentsPresented by Friends of Bustan, U.S. and Israel Peace Alternatives
Sunday, October 14, 7:00 pmFellowship Hall, First Baptist Church - 305 N. California Ave (at Bryant), Palo Alto$5 - $15 Suggested donation // Wheelchair accessibleSponsored by Peninsula Peace and Justice Center, South Bay Jewish Voice for Peace, Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justicehttp://www.peaceandjustice.org/ southbay@jewishvoiceforpeace.org http://www.multifaithpeace.org/ For information, please call (650) 326-8837
Monday, October 15th, 7:30 pm Chochmat HaLev Center for Jewish Spirituality - 2215 Prince St. South Berkeley $5-20 donationPlus special guest Moh Alileche will perform traditional Amazigh music from his native Algeria.
Tuscon, AZ Wednesday, October 17th - TBA
Thursday, October 18th, 6:00 PMTemple Emanu-El, 225 Country Club Rd. (Tentative)Contact info: Racheli Gai (520) 407-1432 racheli@sonoracohousing.com
Phoenix, AZ Thursday, October 19th - Friday, October 20thTBA
Bloomington, Indiana Sunday, October 21st, 4-6pmWylie Hall Room #015 at Indiana University campusAllison Marie Strang: tsetse2554@hotmail.com
Detroit, Michigan TBAAlan Habar - megiddo@umich.edu
Illinois, Chicago Tuesday, October 23rd, 7pmAFSC Headquarters, Grace Place, 637 S. Dearborn, 7 PMContact info: Lynn Pollack, lynnpollack@ameritech.net, 312- 427-2533, Cell-312-847-902-4455;Miryam Rashid, MRashid@afsc.org, 312-427-2533x18.
Wednesday, October 24, 6PM Orland Park LibraryContact info: Ray Hanania, rayhanania@comcast.net, Cell- 312-933-9855; Fax- 708-575-9078..
Ohio, Yellow Springs, Thursday, October 25th, 7PM Antioch CollegePatricia Mische, geapatmische@aol. com, 937-769-1083, 212-870-3290.
Friday, October 26th - Sunday evening, October 28 Community Solution Conference Pat Murphy, pmurphy@communitysolution.org, 937-767-2161; alternative (more likely) megan@communitysolution.org; 937-767-2161Jay Rothman, jrothman @ariagroup.com, Cell-937- 580-5102 will provide 10/26 & 10/27 lodging (1050 President St., Yellow Springs).
Overall Back-up: Howard Cort, Chicago & Yellow Springs howard@empireone. net, 773-472-7828
Northampton, MA Monday, October 29, 7PMRabbi Riqi Kosovske, http://www.beitahavah.org/, 413-587-3770BUSTAN event held at Florence Congregational Church with Beit Ahavah - The Reform Synagogue of Greater Northampton130 Pine Street, Florence, MA 01062
Albany, NY October 30th - TBAMeet with Leaders of Mohawk Nation, Stuart, and Stone of CanadaR Stone
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
The 51st State of the United States - GazaIsraelWestBankia
Here's something to think about.
What if the United States were to annex Israel and the Occupied Territories???
First, of course, we would now have two salt lakes and two states where many of the residents believe in having lots of children, thereby increasing the number of potential voters for Mitt Romney for President.
Second, the entire state of GazaIsraelWestBankia would be subject to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights:
From that impeccable source of wisdom, Wikipedia
"The United States Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments limit the powers of the federal government, protecting the rights of all citizens, residents and visitors on United States territory. Among the enumerated rights these amendments guarantee are: the freedoms of speech, press, and religion; the people's right to keep and bear arms; the freedom of assembly; the freedom to petition; and the rights to be free of unreasonable search and seizure; cruel and unusual punishment; and compelled self-incrimination. The Bill of Rights also restricts Congress' power by prohibiting it from making any law respecting establishment of religion and by prohibiting the federal government from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. In criminal cases, it requires indictment by grand jury for any capital or "infamous crime," guarantees a speedy public trial with an impartial and local jury, and prohibits double jeopardy.
How do you think the applicability of the Bill of Rights to the residents of GazaIsraelWestBankia would affect the daily lives of Israelis and Palestinians?
For example, suppose the government could not evict a citizen from, or demolish, his or her house without due process, would that put Dr. Jeff Halper and ICAHD out of business?
What do you think?
What if the United States were to annex Israel and the Occupied Territories???
First, of course, we would now have two salt lakes and two states where many of the residents believe in having lots of children, thereby increasing the number of potential voters for Mitt Romney for President.
Second, the entire state of GazaIsraelWestBankia would be subject to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights:
From that impeccable source of wisdom, Wikipedia
"The United States Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments limit the powers of the federal government, protecting the rights of all citizens, residents and visitors on United States territory. Among the enumerated rights these amendments guarantee are: the freedoms of speech, press, and religion; the people's right to keep and bear arms; the freedom of assembly; the freedom to petition; and the rights to be free of unreasonable search and seizure; cruel and unusual punishment; and compelled self-incrimination. The Bill of Rights also restricts Congress' power by prohibiting it from making any law respecting establishment of religion and by prohibiting the federal government from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. In criminal cases, it requires indictment by grand jury for any capital or "infamous crime," guarantees a speedy public trial with an impartial and local jury, and prohibits double jeopardy.
How do you think the applicability of the Bill of Rights to the residents of GazaIsraelWestBankia would affect the daily lives of Israelis and Palestinians?
For example, suppose the government could not evict a citizen from, or demolish, his or her house without due process, would that put Dr. Jeff Halper and ICAHD out of business?
What do you think?
Dr Jeff Halper of ICAHD - You Will Definitely Want to Hear Him Speak
I have written often about the courageous work of Dr. Jeff Halper, the Coordinating Director of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) including the Myth of the Generous Offer and a five part series on Israel's House Demolition Policies .
This is an excerpt from the promotional material:
"Dr. Jeff Halper, Coordinating Director of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) is an Israeli-American peace activist, professor of anthropology, distinguished author and internationally acclaimed speaker. His popular book, Obstacles to Peace is to be followed by a forthcoming work: An Israeli in Palestine. Dr. Jeff Halper was a 2006 nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize and a 2007 recipient of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP)’s Olive Branch Award."
I have participated in one discussion with Jeff and he is truly a very special person. I strongly encourage you to attend one of the following programs. If you are not able to attend any one of the these events, I suggest you contact ICAHD-USA at 919.277.0632 and find out what other locations are included in his US tour. (You may, of course, want to consider setting up a speaking engagement for him.)
I just received this from Rabbi Arthur Waskow at The Shalom Center :
Press Release: Israeli Activists Assaulted While Taking Part in a Non-Violent Protest Against Demolition of Palestinian Homes On Monday October 1, 2007, four activists from the Israeli Committee Against Housing Demolitions were attacked during a non-violent sukkot holiday action. The activists built a sukkah to honor the Jewish holiday's values of shelter, protection, and home by raising awareness about discriminatory home demolitions in East Jerusalem. The "Sukkah of Just Peace" was set up at noon on Ben Yehuda street, where activists from the ICAHD and Rabbis for Human Rights handed out materials about home demolitions, human rights organizations, and sukkot. Around 1 pm, one of the activists was attacked by an outraged onlooker. A crowd gathered around the scuffle, mostly shouting rebukes against the activists. A small mob tore down the sukkah. Police arrived ten minutes after the incident but refused to remain at the scene to protect the activists from further harm. The demolished "sukkah against home demolitions" lay as rubble until the activists cleared the scene and took refuge in the nearby ICAHD office. No one was hurt in the incident.
Jeff will be speaking in
Long Island, NY Wisconsin Texas New Jersey Maine Massachusetts
Here is his Boston area schedule (from October 21 – 25, 2007)
Sunday October 21, 2007 7 – 9 PM
“The Key to Peace in Israel/Palestine: Dismantling the Matrix of Control”
Cape Ann Forum
City Hall (corner of Dale Avenue & Warren Street)
Gloucester, MA
Monday October 22, 2007 6:30 – 8:30 PM
"Human Rights and Politics in Israel-Palestine"
Jeff Halper & Anat Biletzki (Professor of Philosophy, Tel Aviv University and Former
chairperson of B'Tselem - The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.)
MIT building 66, room 110 (66-110)
Sponsored by The MIT Program on Human Rights and Justice and the MIT Center for International Studies
Tuesday October 23, 2007 7 – 9 PM
"Human Rights: The True Road Map to Peace"
Peace Abbey Conference Center, Peace Abbey
Two North Main Street, Sherborn, MA
Norm and Marion Mazer will provide light refreshments
Wednesday October 24, 2007 8 – 10 PM
"Israel/Palestine: Countdown to Apartheid"
Harvard University
John F. Kennedy School of Government, Belfer Building, Land Lecture Hall
Sponsored by KSG Palestine Awareness Committee
Thursday October 25, 2007 5:30 – 7 PM
Open fundraiser/reception for Jeff Halper ($25 suggested contribution)
Workmen’s Circle
1762 Beacon St Brookline, MA
--------To be followed by:
Thursday October 25, 2007 7 – 9 PM
"In Search of a Just Peace in Israel-Palestine: A View from the Ground"
Workmen’s Circle
1762 Beacon St Brookline, MA
Sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP)-Boston and Workmen’s Circle Middle East Working Group
For further information on the tour
please email halpertour@comcast.net or call (781) 864-4008.
This is an excerpt from the promotional material:
"Dr. Jeff Halper, Coordinating Director of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) is an Israeli-American peace activist, professor of anthropology, distinguished author and internationally acclaimed speaker. His popular book, Obstacles to Peace is to be followed by a forthcoming work: An Israeli in Palestine. Dr. Jeff Halper was a 2006 nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize and a 2007 recipient of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP)’s Olive Branch Award."
I have participated in one discussion with Jeff and he is truly a very special person. I strongly encourage you to attend one of the following programs. If you are not able to attend any one of the these events, I suggest you contact ICAHD-USA at 919.277.0632 and find out what other locations are included in his US tour. (You may, of course, want to consider setting up a speaking engagement for him.)
I just received this from Rabbi Arthur Waskow at The Shalom Center :
Press Release: Israeli Activists Assaulted While Taking Part in a Non-Violent Protest Against Demolition of Palestinian Homes On Monday October 1, 2007, four activists from the Israeli Committee Against Housing Demolitions were attacked during a non-violent sukkot holiday action. The activists built a sukkah to honor the Jewish holiday's values of shelter, protection, and home by raising awareness about discriminatory home demolitions in East Jerusalem. The "Sukkah of Just Peace" was set up at noon on Ben Yehuda street, where activists from the ICAHD and Rabbis for Human Rights handed out materials about home demolitions, human rights organizations, and sukkot. Around 1 pm, one of the activists was attacked by an outraged onlooker. A crowd gathered around the scuffle, mostly shouting rebukes against the activists. A small mob tore down the sukkah. Police arrived ten minutes after the incident but refused to remain at the scene to protect the activists from further harm. The demolished "sukkah against home demolitions" lay as rubble until the activists cleared the scene and took refuge in the nearby ICAHD office. No one was hurt in the incident.
Jeff will be speaking in
Long Island, NY Wisconsin Texas New Jersey Maine Massachusetts
Here is his Boston area schedule (from October 21 – 25, 2007)
Sunday October 21, 2007 7 – 9 PM
“The Key to Peace in Israel/Palestine: Dismantling the Matrix of Control”
Cape Ann Forum
City Hall (corner of Dale Avenue & Warren Street)
Gloucester, MA
Monday October 22, 2007 6:30 – 8:30 PM
"Human Rights and Politics in Israel-Palestine"
Jeff Halper & Anat Biletzki (Professor of Philosophy, Tel Aviv University and Former
chairperson of B'Tselem - The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.)
MIT building 66, room 110 (66-110)
Sponsored by The MIT Program on Human Rights and Justice and the MIT Center for International Studies
Tuesday October 23, 2007 7 – 9 PM
"Human Rights: The True Road Map to Peace"
Peace Abbey Conference Center, Peace Abbey
Two North Main Street, Sherborn, MA
Norm and Marion Mazer will provide light refreshments
Wednesday October 24, 2007 8 – 10 PM
"Israel/Palestine: Countdown to Apartheid"
Harvard University
John F. Kennedy School of Government, Belfer Building, Land Lecture Hall
Sponsored by KSG Palestine Awareness Committee
Thursday October 25, 2007 5:30 – 7 PM
Open fundraiser/reception for Jeff Halper ($25 suggested contribution)
Workmen’s Circle
1762 Beacon St Brookline, MA
--------To be followed by:
Thursday October 25, 2007 7 – 9 PM
"In Search of a Just Peace in Israel-Palestine: A View from the Ground"
Workmen’s Circle
1762 Beacon St Brookline, MA
Sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP)-Boston and Workmen’s Circle Middle East Working Group
For further information on the tour
please email halpertour@comcast.net or call (781) 864-4008.
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