ACTION HALF HOUR ON MONDAY 29 APRIL
ACTION ONE: Immediate protection for Prof. Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian
Scholars Against War petition to U.S. Secretary of State Blinken
“We, the undersigned scholars, professionals, and concerned citizens, condemn in the strongest possible terms the detention, ill treatment, and continuing targeting of Prof. Shalhoub-Kevorkian. We are extremely worried for her safety, not the least because she has been personally targeted by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who was previously convicted for supporting terrorism and inciting racism. “
https://scholarsagainstwar.org/actions/immediate-protection-for-prof-nadera-shalhoub-kevorkian/
#IStandWithNadera
Supporters of Nadera are taking a selfie holding the message below (either a printout or displaying on their phone) and posting these to X (Twitter) using the hashtag #IStandWithNadera
You can see all the postings by searching for that hashtag.
The organisers have also that you also tag in @qmulPalestine so that they can see who is responding.
INFO: Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian and the ‘liquidation of all untruths’
Dr. Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian’s detention confirms what the BDS movement has long argued: Israeli universities are first and foremost instruments of the state and agents of Zionism’s project of dispossession and apartheid rule.
https://mondoweiss.net/2024/04/nadera-shalhoub-kevorkian-and-the-liquidation-of-all-untruths/
INFO: ‘Political arrest’ of Palestinian academic in Israel marks new civil liberties threat
University and colleagues condemn detention of law professor, the first time an academic has been held over speech related to work
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/26/political-arrest-palestinian-academic-nadera-shalhoub-kevorkian-israel-civil-liberties-threat
ACTION TWO: On the current arrests at Columbia University and other US campuses
We are a group of scientists and academics based at universities across the world. We are writing to express our dismay at your decision to invite the New York Police Department to arrest pro-Palestinian protesters on your University’s campus.
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/on-the-current-arrests-at-columbia-university-and-other-us-campuses/
ACTION THREE: Recognise the Palestinian voice and future!
Help make safety and peace possible for the people of Palestine and Israel. Recognise the state of Palestine and actively engage in ensuring a two state solution.
https://action.wemove.eu/sign/2024-04-recognise-Palestine-petition-EN
ACTION FOUR: Sign the Protest – German Suppression of Palestinian Voices
In the year of Israel’s continuing genocidal assault on Gaza, and its escalation and facilitation of the murderous violence by troops and settlers in the West Bank, the German state has ordered the silencing of all voices raised in defence of the Palestinian people, whether by Palestinians, their supporters or by intellectuals analysing the conflict.
https://bricup.org.uk/article/6376/
ACTION HALF HOUR ON MONDAY 22 APRIL
ACTION ONE: Jewish Voice for Peace letter supporting Columbia university students
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5_fx2YAFsy/?igsh=MW5rdGxxMDYzeTNibg==
ACTION TWO: Disseminate information about Freedom Flotilla
https://freedomflotilla.org/2024/04/04/civilian-aid-flotilla/
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-freedom-flotilla-determined-sail-istanbul-gaza-break-israel-siege
IN-PERSON: Vigil for Gaza on Parliament square on Wednesday 24 April at 4.30pm-6:00pm
IN-PERSON: Event outside BBC Portland Place on Thursday 25 April at 6pm
https://www.instagram.com/p/C6BsnJ7o5tW/https://www.instagram.com/p/C6BsnJ7o5tW/
ACTION HALF HOUR ON MONDAY 15 APRIL
ACTION ONE: Free Doctor Ahmed Muhanna and the AWDA medical staff!
Doctor Muhanna and his team stayed behind to keep the last hospital in North Gaza running. While caring for patients they were abducted by Israeli forces. Health carers must never be a target in war. Help free them. #FreeAhmedMuhanna #FreePalestine
https://action.wemove.eu/sign/2024-2-free-doctor-ahmed-muhanna-and-the-awda-medical-staff-EN
ACTION TWO: Create a Palestinian Family Visa Scheme for Palestinian people affected by war
We want the government to take action and create a Visa scheme that allows Palestinian individuals affected by war, to be allowed into the UK. Just like we did for Ukraine.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/648577
ACTION THREE: Friends of Al-Aqsa: Stop Arming Israel
Landing page with a petition and other resources
https://www.foa.org.uk/campaign/stoparmingisrael
ACTION FOUR: Petition for a Commission an Inquiry into UK arms trade with Israel
The Government should commission a full inquiry into UK arms imports & exports with the state of Israel, to establish whether there is a risk of UK manufactured arms & components being used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/656384
EVENT: Rally for Palestine – Stop Arming Israel
Wednesday 17 April at 6pm at Parliament
https://www.facebook.com/palestinesolidarityuk
EVENT: Call to account the Archbishop of Canterbury for supporting Israel while claiming neutrality
Tuesday 20 April at 4:30pm
March from Lambeth Palace to Church House, Great Smith Street
Assemble at the Garden Café in the Lambeth Palace estate.
Organised by CAMPAIN with support from the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions and others
The rally will begin with speeches at 4.30 before moving off to Great Smith Street.
https://www.campain.org/post/protest-is-working-justin-welby-expresses-remorse
EVENT: Lobby Day Registration: Wednesday 24th April 2024
On Wednesday 24th April, from 2-5pm, PSC is coordinating a national lobby of parliament for Palestine. Hundreds of supporters will be arranging meetings with their MPs to demand immediate action for Palestine. You can register to join below.
https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/lobby24
ACTION HALF HOUR ON MONDAY 8 APRIL
ACTION ONE: New PSC Petition – Stop Arming Israel
The UK government is entirely aware of Israeli war crimes, and – according to leaked Tory information – has received legal advice that Israel is breaking international law. Although this seems obvious, such legal advice is significant as it would require the government to stop exporting weapons to Israel under the UK’s Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. Please help us expose this and demand the UK stops arming Israel.
https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/petitionarms
ACTION TWO: Review the list of signatories to the open letter from Zarah Sultana MP demanding an end to arms sales. If your MP has not signed urge them to sign and remind them of their obligations under the Genocide convention.
Original post from Zarah Sultana MP:
https://twitter.com/zarahsultana/status/1772898790053155083?s=20
The letter:
https://twitter.com/zarahsultana/status/1772898790053155083/photo/1
https://twitter.com/zarahsultana/status/1772898790053155083/photo/2
List of signatories:
https://twitter.com/zarahsultana/status/1772898790053155083/photo/3
ACTION THREE: Petition the UK Parliament – immediately revoke all licences for arms exports to Israel
We believe the UK Government is on the wrong side of history, and must stop the sale of arms to Israel.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/652949
Resources:
Israeli drone used in Gaza aid strike powered by British-made engine, activists claim
Pressure mounts to halt arms sales as senior Tory calls airstrike a ‘turning point in Israel’s collapsing reputation’
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/gaza-aid-workers-israel-british-drone-b2522977.html
ACTION HALF HOUR ON MONDAY 25 MARCH
ACTION ONE: Write to the Foreign Office to reinstate UNRWA funding
Rather than holding Israel to account for its war crimes, the UK Government has suspended funding to UNRWA over unsubstantiated allegations made by Israel. UNRWA is the primary agency providing food aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and the organisation responsible for the education of 543,057 Palestinian children. In the past weeks, the EU, Canada, Sweden and Australia have all resumed aid to UNRWA. Now Britain must do the same.
https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/GazaChildren
“Despite the tragedy unfolding under our watch, the Israeli Authorities informed the UN that they will no longer approve any food convoys to the north
This is outrageous and makes it intentional to obstruct lifesaving assistance during a man-made famine.”(Head of UNRWA on Sunday 24 March)
https://twitter.com/UNLazzarini/status/1771917857598693549
US doubles down on defunding UNRWA — despite flimsy allegations
Congress passed a one-year ban on UNRWA funds even as several Western countries and the EU have resumed funding to the U.N. agency that aids Palestinians. The bill also:
– approves $3.8 billion funding to Israel
– contains a long-standing provision that would limit aid to the Palestinian Authority, which governs the occupied West Bank, if “the Palestinians (sic) initiate an International Criminal Court (ICC) judicially authorized investigation, or actively supports such an investigation, that subjects Israeli nationals to an investigation for alleged crimes against Palestinians.”
https://theintercept.com/2024/03/22/gaza-unrwa-funding-congress/
ACTION TWO: Palestine Solidarity Campaign national lobby of Parliament for Palestine
Wednesday 24th April, from 2-5pm
PSC is coordinating a national lobby of parliament for Palestine. Hundreds of supporters will be arranging meetings with their MPs to demand immediate action for Palestine.
Now is the time for political action. We need as many people as possible registering for the lobby, and sending a clear message to MPs that justice for Palestine will be a key issue at the next general election. Our core demands are for a #CeasefireNOW, and for the UK to #StopArmingIsrael immediately.
Anyone can join the lobby, you just need to be available on the day. You’ll be guided through the whole process and provided with a full briefing pack with information about getting into parliament, where to go, and what to say to your MP.
https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/lobby24
ACTION THREE: Continue promoting the campaign in support of Professor Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian
There is a new, in-depth article about the Hebrew University from 972 in the material below.
ACTION FOUR: Allow political content on Instagram
Instagram has updated their content preferences to automatically limit political content!
Here’s how you can allow “political content” and continue staying informed about crucial issues like Palestine, Congo, Sudan, Border/Migrant Discrimination, etc
Open Instagram
Go to profile tab
Open Settings and Activity in upper right corner
Scroll down and select “Content preferences” -OR-
“Suggested content”
Scroll down and select “Political content”
Select “Don’t limit” button
From @riseindigenous (via Jewish Voice for Peace)
ACTION HALF HOUR ON MONDAY 18 MARCH
ACTION ONE: Support academic freedom for Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian
The Palestine-Global Mental Health Network, with the networks of Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States, are unified in denouncing the Hebrew University’s suspension of Professor Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian. Professor Shalhoub-Kevorkian is not only a respected academic in the fields of social work and law but also a world-renowned feminist scholar whose extensive work has illuminated the multifaceted impacts of militarization, surveillance, and violence on the lives of Palestinian women and children.
We urge you to consider sending letters to the following individuals at the Hebrew University:
1) Asher Cohen (President, hupres@savion.huji.ac.il )
2) Tamir Sheafer (Rector, rector@savion.huji.ac.il )
3) Asher Ben Arieh (Dean of Social Work, benarieh@mail.huji.ac.il )
4) Tomer Broude (Law dean, tomerbroude@gmail.com)
Subject: Urgent Appeal for Reinstatement of Professor Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian
Dear [name of Hebrew University member],
I write to express grave concern over Professor Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian’s suspension, a move that contradicts the principles of academic freedom and integrity. As a renowned scholar, her work is crucial for understanding the impacts of conflict on vulnerable communities. This decision not only affects her but signals a worrying stance on scholarly debate and inquiry by the Hebrew University.
I urge you to restore Professor Shalhoub-Kevorkian to her position, reaffirming your commitment to academic freedom and the vital role of scholars in society. This action would demonstrate the university’s support for critical thinking and scholarly integrity, reinforcing its position as a leader in academic excellence and human rights advocacy.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] [Your Position] [Your Organization] [Contact Information]
Word version of template letter:
Or you may want to use the longer, more informative version of the same letter:
OTHER RESOURCES:
Hebrew University’s Faculty of Repressive Science
From 972 Magazine on Saturday 22 March
The suspension of Palestinian professor Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian empties all meaning from the university’s proclaimed values of pluralism and equality.
https://www.972mag.com/hebrew-university-nadera-shalhoub-kevorkian
Friday 15 March: Highly recommended 17-minute interview with Professor Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian on the Democracy Now channel in which she clearly and eloquently puts her side of the story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLtCKFJUUiA
‘There is so much love in Palestine’
Exceptional, recent, in-depth 1.5 hour long Makdisi Street video interview with Nadera
https://youtu.be/cw3Y-6GqytM?si=MA7zAeJf8YsrpfSp
ACTION TWO: change.org petition in support of Professor Shalhoub-Kevorkian
In a time when a genocide is clearly unfolding in the Gaza strip, more than 30,000 Palestinians are dead, and thousands of others are dying from malnutrition and starvation, there is no more important time for teachers to speak out. Academic freedom includes the freedom to tell the truth about genocide.
https://www.change.org/p/in-support-of-professor-nadera-shalhoub-kevorkian
ACTION THREE: Write to the Foreign Office to reinstate UNRWA funding
Rather than holding Israel to account for its war crimes, the UK Government has suspended funding to UNRWA over unsubstantiated allegations made by Israel. UNRWA is the primary agency providing food aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and the organisation responsible for the education of 543,057 Palestinian children. In the past weeks, the EU, Canada, Sweden and Australia have all resumed aid to UNRWA. Now Britain must do the same.
https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/GazaChildren
ACTION FOUR: End UK-Israel Trade Deals: Hold Israel to Account for Plausible Genocide
Demand that your MP calls on the UK government to take concrete steps to immediately:
– Suspend the current UK-Israel trade deal;
– Suspend negotiations for a new UK-Israel free-trade deal;
– Stop the UK-Israel trade in arms and related technology;
– Stop importing goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
https://secure.waronwant.org/page/145898/action/1
ACTION HALF HOUR ON MONDAY 11 MARCH
ACTION ONE: Help to publicise Mental Health Study Tour May 2024
Understandably some people have withdrawn from the May mental health tour. Other tours have already been going ahead, and our partners are determined to make it work.
https://ukpalmhn.com/resources/mental-health-study-tour-may-2024/
We have an amazing programme including nearly 30 appointments within East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and also going as far south as into the Naqab/Negev desert and north into the Galilee. Hotels will be in Bethlehem and in Nazareth.
The full programme offers excellent access to clinicians, academics, community groups and political analysts who it would be difficult to access if travelling on one’s own. The tour will be facilitated by a small UK company with more than twenty years’ experience providing alternative tours to the area.
To receive an application form, please email us at ukpalmhn@gmail.com
ACTION TWO: Boycott Barclays Bank
Barclays is bankrolling Israel’s genocidal assault on Palestinians through its financial ties with arms companies that sell weapons to Israel.
We’re calling on all concerned people to boycott all Barclays services until the bank ends its complicity in Israel’s attacks on Palestinians. On our first collective account closure day, 9 February, over 1500 people closed their bank accounts. We’re asking everyone who still holds a Barclays account to pledge to close it on the 2nd mass account closure day, Thursday 21 March, to have the most impact.
Barclays needs to know that you are boycotting it, and to know why, so we’ve set up a simple way for you to inform the bank.
https://palestinecampaign.org/boycott-barclays-bank/
ACTION THREE: Thousands of Artists Want Israel Excluded From the Prestigious Venice Biennale
https://time.com/6835477/venice-biennale-israel-exclusion-artists-petition-palestinians-genocide
Art Not Genocide Alliance
We, the undersigned, call for the exclusion of Israel from the Venice Biennale.
As the art world readies itself to visit the Giardini’s nation-state diorama, we say platforming art representing a state engaged in ongoing atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza is unacceptable. No Genocide Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
Open letter and list of signatories:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSenrG1TdWagSeXZjL4thl9xNTEsfxSUB3arj7DcJugGR99Fbg/viewform
ACTION FOUR: Despite the ongoing genocide, Israel’s sports teams continue to compete internationally
Russia faced immediate bans from all international sports following its invasion of Ukraine. Israel should be held to the same standard.
https://actions.eko.org/a/olympics-and-fifa-ban-israel-from-international-sports-now
ACTION FIVE: Urgent Gaza Alert: Our team is delivering medical supplies, our doctors are working to save lives amid the ongoing violence. Please help now..
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=818450950321992&id=100064712829372
ACTION HALF HOUR ON MONDAY 4 MARCH
ACTION ONE: Email your MP and demand they support a permanent ceasefire and a lifting of the siege on Gaza, it only takes 2 minutes
From PSC: Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been pushed once more into unimaginable horrors under Israel’s ruthless military attacks – because a permanent ceasefire has not yet been secured. Over the past weeks, we have seen British politicians calling for a ceasefire, with many citing their constituents as the reason they spoke out. We have strength in our numbers, and we have to continue showing the sheer scale of support for a permanent ceasefire to increase the pressure on politicians.
https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/ceasefireMPdebate
EVENT TWO: Health Workers 4 Palestine
Friday 8 March – International Women’s Day
Workplace Day of Action, including rally outside Kings College Hospital in London at 5pm
https://www.instagram.com/healthworkers4palestine/p/C3052T_oZun/?img_index=1
EVENT THREE: Workplace Day of Action
Friday 8 March – International Women’s Day – Solidarity With #PalestinianWomen
Joint Action called by: Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Stop the War Coalition, Muslim Association of Britain, Palestinian Forum in Britain, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
List of national events (including multiple local actions in London) available at the following page:
https://www.stopwar.org.uk/events/workplace-day-of-action-in-solidarity-with-palestinianwomen-on-iwd-2024/
EVENT FOUR: Camden PSC: Ceasefire Protest
Monday 4 March – Assemble outside Camden Town Hall, 5 Judd Street, WC1H 9JE at 6pm
https://palestinecampaign.org/events/camden-psc-ceasefire-protest/
EVENT FIVE: National March – Ceasefire Now in Gaza
Saturday 9 March at 12:00 in Central London
The route of the march is not yet confirmed so we cannot yet announce the UK-Palestine Mental Health Network meeting place.
Join our mailing list (if you have not already done so) to receive information about the meeting place when it is available:
https://ukpalmhn.com/mailing-list/
ACTION HALF HOUR ON MONDAY 26 FEBRUARY
ACTION ONE: “Tackling Antisemitism in Education” Tender
We are writing this letter out of concern for both antisemitism in Britain and the potential weaponising of antisemitism for political means. We strongly object to the tender issued by the department of Education and Training on 6th Feb to the value of £5.5 million for the procurement of services towards ‘Tackling Antisemitism in Education’.(1) The tender, which is specifically to teach and implement the International Holocaust Memorial Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism in schools, colleges and universities over a 3-year period, is problematic for the following reasons: …
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSex-sMtKDYkxrEtGxuwKuA9YQ-p6p7qYdkUDxIvOHwuH9BWDw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0
ACTION TWO: Urge Governments to Invoke the Genocide Convention to Stop the War on Gaza
While South Africa has charged Israel with Genocide, and the International Court of Justice has preliminarily ruled that the case is plausible and that Israel must cease killing, and while several countries have made public statements in support, we STILL need what we’ve needed for months: more countries to formally file their support in the case with the International Court of Justice. So, please keep the emails going!
We thank Nicaragua! Emails sent below will go to: Brazil, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Egypt, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Turkey, Mexico, Pakistan, Spain
https://worldbeyondwar.org/gaza-genocide/
ACTION HALF HOUR ON MONDAY 19 FEBRUARY
ACTION ONE: Demand St Mungo’s Back A Ceasefire And Divest Pensions From Aviva
St Mungo’s is a homelessness charity and the core values of St Mungo’s emphasise their commitment to alleviating human suffering and fostering a world where everyone has a safe and secure place to call home. However, a 2017 report by War on Want revealed that our pension provider at St Mungo’s, Aviva, has substantial investments in companies known to provide equipment to the Israeli military, including arms companies such as BAE systems and Babcock.
Sign the public petition here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhPj0BftQlfJa2fFfEGpFm6dd9n0i9SnaZc2Sf0PgLL0O2Cg/viewform
ACTION TWO: Tell Meta: We need to talk about genocide.
The powerful voices of Palestinians and allies on social media have been a lifeline for many — and a real-time counterpoint to state propaganda during a time of utter horror in Rafah and throughout Gaza.
It’s no surprise that Palestinians and solidarity activists everywhere are experiencing increased repression and censorship on Meta-owned social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Now, in a blatant move to silence Palestinians even more, Meta is aiming to revise its hate speech policy on conversations that include the term “Zionist.”
Tell Meta: We need to talk about genocide
ACTION THREE: Commission an inquiry into UK Arms trade with Israel
The Government should commission a full inquiry into UK arms imports & exports with the state of Israel, to establish whether there is a risk of UK manufactured arms & components being used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/656384
ACTION FOUR: Call for humanitarian airdrops into Gaza
We call for the governments of The United States, United Kingdom, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to form a humanitarian coalition. This coalition will airdrop aid directly into Gaza.
https://www.change.org/p/call-for-humanitarian-airdrops-into-the-gaza-strip-ee5eaec1-b0e9-4154-9865-65813ac778d7
ACTION FIVE: Emergency Lobby of Parliament for Gaza
Wednesday 21 February from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm at Parliament
On Wednesday 21 February, parliament will vote on whether the UK should call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. This is a crucial moment in parliament, and we urgently need your help lobbying MPs ahead of the vote. Let MPs know that the electorate will accept NO EXCUSES for not supporting a ceasefire.
https://palestinecampaign.org/events/lobby-for-gaza/
ACTION SIX: Psychotherapists, psychologists and counsellors address the human catastrophe in Gaza
A Statement expressing “dismay at the ongoing slaughter and mayhem in Gaza”, and which calls for a ceasefire and a peace based on a recognition of Palestinian rights and international law, has been issued by a group of UK-based clinicians. The Statement also reflects on the curtailment of “freedom of thought and speech” within society and the profession, and calls for a restoration of “freedom to speak and act peacefully without fear of recrimination, harassment or censure”.
The Statement can be read and signed here:
http://tinyurl.com/w59jat49
EVENT: From Palestine with Art
Exhibition Dates: 2nd February – 2nd March 2024
P21 Gallery, 21-27 Chalton Street, London NW1 1JD, UK
From Palestine with Art is a unique showcase that aims to share the vibrant culture, heritage, and struggles of the Palestinian people through various artistic expressions. The exhibit features a diverse range of talented Palestinian artists and seeks to shed light on their experiences, history, and aspirations.
https://p21.gallery/exhibitions/from-palestine-with-art
ACTION HALF HOUR ON MONDAY 12 FEBRUARY
ACTION ONE: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL UK – DEMAND AN URGENT CEASEFIRE IN GAZA AND ISRAEL – NOW
Countless lives have been shattered, ripped apart, and upended due to the crisis in Gaza, Israel and wider Occupied Palestinian Territories. In the face of such devastation and suffering, humanity must prevail.
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/demand-urgent-ceasefire-gaza-and-israel-now-LG
ACTION TWO: EMERGENCY PROTEST – RAFAH UNDER ATTACK
ACTION THREE: SHARE THIS POWERFUL VIDEO SHOWING PICTURES FROM HAPPIER TIMES OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED IN GAZA
They shone with hope and joy, each in their own way – Public memorial of children killed in Gaza
A video showing some of the many children killed since Oct 7 in Gaza, their name and age. It draws on pictorial tributes from their friends and family. These are deeply felt public memorials depicting each child in the way that those who knew, loved and cared for them wanted them remembered.
https://twitter.com/iraqbodycount/status/1755931780794790349
GOOD NEWS CORNER (Yes, there is some …)
A Dutch court has just ruled that the government must cease shipping spare parts for F-35 fighters to Israel because of a plausible risk that they will be used in Human Rights violations. But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may appeal to the Supreme Court.
8 February: PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON HUMANITARIAN AID AND CHILDREN IN GAZA ON THURSDAY 8 FEBRUARY
📣 Apsana Begum MP has secured a Parliamentary debate on Humanitarian aid and children in Gaza.
We need your help in urging your MP to attend this crucial parliamentary debate taking place at Westminster Hall this week on Thursday 8 February at 1.30pm.
- To find the contact information of your MP, please click on the following link and search using your postcode: https://members.parliament.uk/findyourmp
- Use the following template to email them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SqHEY3h_Omv8Rck4oGg1lcwDGrlzxTpUE4vVYdIYxvc/edit?usp=sharing
More details can be found here: https://whatson.parliament.uk/event/cal46926
Please share this with as many people as you can. Many Thanks!
ACTION HALF HOUR ON MONDAY 5 FEBRUARY
ACTION ONE: SEVEN ACTIONS FOR GAZA THIS WEEK
#STANDWITHGAZA
London Trade Union Rally – Tue 6 Feb at 6:30 pm
Mander Hall, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London, WC1H 9BD
London Trade Union Rally at the Mander Hall, Hamilton House with representatives from Unite, NEU, UCU and RMT. Plus Jewish Stop the War activist Barnaby Raine and Dr Omar Abdel-Mannan (Health Workers For Palestine)
https://www.stopwar.org.uk/events/standwithgaza-london-trade-union-rally
Workplace day of action – Wed 7 Feb
Nationwide actions
https://www.stopwar.org.uk/events/standwithgaza-workplace-day-of-action
School Strike For Palestine – Wed 7 Feb
Nationwide including:
Glasgow: 11am, Glasgow City Chambers
Islington: 9:30am, Islington Town Hall, march to Emily Thornberry’s office
Manchester: 12pm, Rally outside University of Manchester campus
London: 12pm Abingdon Gardens (near Parliament)
https://www.stopwar.org.uk/events/school-strike-for-palestine-7-feb-2024
Media Workers 4 Palestine Protest – Wed 7 Feb at 5:30pm
BBC Broadcasting House, Great Portland Street, London W1A
– Stop killing journalists
– End censorship
– Tell the truth
– Stop the Genocide
https://www.stopwar.org.uk/events/media-workers-4-palestine-rally
National Student Walkout for Palestine – Wed 7 Feb
In response to the call for Action on Wednesday 7 February, London Student Action 4 Palestine will be walking out of lectures, hosting teach-outs and holding our universities to account for their complicity in the genocide.
https://www.instagram.com/londonstudentaction4palestine
Educators for Palestine – Fri 9 Feb at 5.30pm
Home Office, Marsham Street SW1P 4DF
Department for Education, Great Smith Street SW1P 3BT
Downing Street
– Stop bombing schools and hospitals!
– End the war on Palestinian children!
– Stop the use of Prevent to silence children!
– Ceasefire Now!
Ride for Palestine – Sat 10 Feb at 11:30 am
Open to all people and abilities
Start at 11.30 am at National Theatre, Southbank, London
Finish at 2 pm in Parliament Square
ACTION TWO: URGENT LETTER TO MP REGARDING THE CUT OF FUNDING FOR UNWRA
The letter is available in PDF format (so that you can read it online) and as a Word document that you can download, print and send.
PDF document:
Word version:
ACTION THREE: GAZA ISRAEL CONFLICT: CALL FOR A LASTING CEASEFIRE NOW
To Foreign Secretary David Cameron: “You must do everything in your power to push for an immediate ceasefire, to allow humanitarian aid for people facing intolerable suffering. The siege of Gaza must be stopped, and water, food and fuel allowed in. We ask you to work to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.”
(The petition has over 250,000 signatures).
https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-oxfam/gaza-israel-crisis-sign-petition-call-for-ceasefire-now
ACTION HALF-HOUR ON 29 January
ACTION ONE: Urgent letter to MP regarding the cut of funding for UNWRA
The letter is available in PDF format (so that you can read it online) and as a Word document that you can download, print and send.
PDF document:
Word version:
ACTION TWO: Demand the Immediate Release of Mansour Shouman by Israel Government and IDF
The abduction of Mansour is part of a larger issue where numerous civilians have been unlawfully detained without any charges or trial. According to B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, as of December 2023, there were approximately 4,650 Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons (B’Tselem).
https://www.change.org/p/demand-the-immediate-release-of-mansour-shouman-by-israel-government-and-idf
ACTION THREE: Gaza Israel conflict: call for a lasting ceasefire now
To Foreign Secretary David Cameron: “You must do everything in your power to push for an immediate ceasefire, to allow humanitarian aid for people facing intolerable suffering. The siege of Gaza must be stopped, and water, food and fuel allowed in. We ask you to work to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.”
(The petition has over 250,000 signatures).
https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-oxfam/gaza-israel-crisis-sign-petition-call-for-ceasefire-now
ACTION FOUR: #StopSendingArms – An Open Call to all UN Member States to stop fuelling the crisis in Gaza and avert further humanitarian catastrophe and loss of civilian life
(intended for signature by organisations)
“We, the undersigned organisations, call on all States to immediately halt the transfer of weapons, parts, and ammunition to Israel and Palestinian armed groups while there is risk they are used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian or human rights law.”
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeF0lwTIXDk_IR1idgNdTB1NNlthv96EXCPamX4x16kjcDv0g/viewform
ACTION FIVE: Irish Artists demand the exclusion of Israel from Eurovision 2024
(Intended for Irish artists)
“This petition calls on Irish artists to join forces with artists from Finland and Iceland to demand the exclusion of Israel from Eurovision 2024.”
https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/irish-artists-demand-the-exclusion-of-israel-from-eurovision-2024
ACTION SIX: Letter of Support to the British Medical Association (BMA)
(Intended for UK medical students and doctors to sign)
“Since the publication of this letter, Drs Phil Banfield and Latifa Patel, chairs of BMA Council and the BMA Representative Body respectively, have received significant backlash. We want to show them our support for their position. The letter below was sent to the BMA at 10:15 on Tuesday 23rd January 2024 with 2,643 signatories, but remains open to sign.
We are asking specifically for UK medical students and doctors to sign, as those who the BMA represents. Other healthcare professionals and members of the public are welcome to use and adapt this text for their own personal or open letters.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclnZMeb2KMp3d2yGYV-23gt9RDePf1kCKO58tQBPirvbztIA/viewform
VIDEO: Dr. Hajo Meyer, a Holocaust survivor and anti-Zionist activist
In respect of the recent Holocaust Memorial day, this an interview from 2011 with Dr Meyer who had been conducting a speaking tour titled “Never Again For Anyone,” sharing his experiences of surviving Auschwitz, and his perceptions of Zionism and the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGa4heNE-SA
ACTIONS FOR THE PERIOD UNTIL FRIDAY 26 JANUARY
(There is no Action Half-Hour on Friday 19 January. The next Action Half-Hour is on Friday 26 January)
ACTION ONE: BBC News must explain their selective 1-sided live streaming of Israeli Genocide Trial
Change.org petition
On 11 January, the BBC live-streamed the Post Office Enquiry but did not live-stream the South African submission to the ICJ about alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza.
On 12 January, the BBC live-streamed the Israeli response to the submission in full, despite the fact that the Post Office Enquiry was still ongoing.
On the face of it, it is blatantly biased behaviour, favouring the legal arguments of one nation over others, and in direct violation of the BBC’s obligation of fair, accurate and balanced reporting.
We wish to know from the BBC who made the decision to show only the Israeli defence of the allegations and not the allegations themselves, what informed the decision, what considerations were taken into account when making the decision and what, if any, political direction or advice was received by the BBC which may have influenced the decision.
https://www.change.org/p/bbc-news-must-explain-their-selective-1-sided-live-streaming-of-israeli-genocide-trial
ACTION TWO: Making a complaint to the BBC about biased reporting on ICJ hearing about alleged genocide in Gaza
To make a complaint directly to the BBC see:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints/make-a-complaint/#/Complaint
Please follow these steps and in writing a complaint to the BBC. The body of the complaint that you can copy and paste is below.
The last day for submission is 10 February 2024
1. Drop down and select “TV Programme/ schedule”
2. Drop down and select: “BBC News Channel”
3. Are you contacting us about a previous complaint? Answer = “No”
4. Leave all ‘optional’ areas blank. Where it says “Category” choose “Bias”
5. What is the subject of your complaint: Write: “BBC’s coverage of the ICJ Hearing”
6. You will then need to enter your complaint. Template below
7. Verify your personal contact details.
Template Complaint:
I am writing to complain about the unfair and bias coverage of the case of South Africa v Israel at the ICJ on 11th and 12th Jan 2024. The BBC did not televise South Africa’s prosecuting case on the day, however, did provide live coverage of Israel’s defence on day 2.
This is unbalanced reporting from the BBC.
Day 1 of the case presented by South Africa was not televised live, this was the first day of a case of huge historical and political importance, one that many of your viewers were expecting to watch on your channel having paid for their TV Licence. More perplexing, was the fact that you then televised day 2 of the hearing, giving full live coverage to Israel’s defence.
The BBC decided not to show the prosecution’s case on day 1, which included the undeniable evidence highlighting the genocidal acts committed by Israel.
I refer you to Section 4 of the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines, which makes clear that fundamental to the BBC’s reputation and values is that it must act with due impartiality. It must balance opposing viewpoints, where “…no significant strand of thought is under-represented or omitted, to keep the trust of its audiences.”
I further refer you to Rule 5 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code derived from sections 319(2)(c) and (d), 319(8) and section 320 of the Communications Act 2003, the BBC Charter and Agreement, and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Rule 5: “Due impartiality on matters of political controversy must be preserved, and given “due weight”, with views and facts not being “misrepresented…” Broadcasters must not give “…undue prominence to the views and opinions of particular persons or bodies…”
Undue prominence is a significant imbalance of views aired within coverage of matters of political controversy.
The BBC is in breach of its own Editorial Guidelines, The Ofcom Broadcasting Code, and the relevant legislation.Please explain your actions in line with the breaches as identified.
ACTION HALF-HOUR ON 12 JANUARY
ACTION ONE: JVP petition supporting SA’s case at the ICJ (for individuals)
We support South Africa’s case charging Israel with genocide against Palestinians at the World Court and urge the Biden administration to stop undermining the international community’s attempts to hold the Israeli government accountable for its mass atrocities.
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/we-charge-genocide
ACTION TWO: Change.org petition supporting SA’s case at the ICJ (for individuals)
We the undersigned applaud and fully support South Africa’s referral of Israel to the ICJ (International Court of Justice) for its genocidal crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza. We hope that this action will lead to some form of international action that will put an end to the suffering of the people of Gaza, and also lead to achieving justice after two months of incessant war crimes by Israel which have led to 21,000 deaths so far.
https://www.change.org/p/support-south-africa-s-case-against-israel-at-the-icj
ACTION THREE: Strategic email campaign urging key states to support SA’s case at the ICJ (for individuals)
The website provides simple form through which it is possible email the United Nations Consulates of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Jordan, Turkey, Ireland, Honduras, Bolivia, Belize, Algeria, and Pakistan.
The action appears at the top right of this page:
https://worldbeyondwar.org/gaza-genocide/
The full text of the action is available here:
https://worldbeyondwar.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Genocide1PageE.pdf
ACTION FOUR: Progressive International petition supporting SA’s case at the ICJ (for organisations)
We urge national governments to immediately file a Declaration of Intervention in support of the South African case against Israel at the International Court of Justice to stop the killing in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
https://act.progressive.international/southafrica/
ACTION FIVE: Add handles to automatic email sign offs
Today is a #cyberIntifada day. Here are some handles, please consider adding them to the end of automatic email sign offs.
#EndIsraelGenocide #StandWithGaza #GlobalJustice #GazaGlobalAction #CeaseFireNow
ACTION SIX: Gaza Healthcare Workers Nobel Peace Prize Nomination 2024
Please put your signature to this petition and show your support for this official nomination of Gazan healthcare workers for the Nobel Peace Prize 2024. Put politics, religion and divisions aside. Connect with these humans and show them the worldwide awe and respect that they deserve. By signing this nomination, they will know that the world believes in them. They will know that they matter. They are seen.
Nominations will be submitted by the deadline on 31st Jan 2024. Our nominator is registered and verified to put in five nominations
https://www.change.org/p/official-gaza-healthcare-workers-nobel-peace-prize-nomination-2024
Video below to support the nomination.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeNgrtc2/
TONIGHT - TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
Adam Phillips and Avgi Saketopoulou: In Conversation
Friday 12 January at 6pm
Online tickets for this unique meeting of two leading figures in international psychoanalysis
https://allevents.in/online/adam-phillips-and-avgi-saketopoulou-in-conversation-online-tickets/10000771096238607
SOMETHING TO WATCH
Gaza War Day 78: Watching the world transform
from The Anti-Empire Project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqT0FDGH6SQ&t=179s
ACTION HALF-HOUR ON 5 JANUARY
ACTION ONE: Palestine Solidarity Campaign Petition – Right To Boycott
The government’s toxic ‘anti-boycott bill’ will have its 3rd reading in the House of Commons Wednesday 10 January. MPs will vote on whether it should progress towards becoming law. If passed, the anti-boycott bill will prevent public bodies – including local councils, universities, and public sector pension funds – from making ethical choices about spending and investment and ban their participation in political boycotts like those that helped to end apartheid in South Africa. NOW is the time to put pressure on parliamentarians to oppose this dangerous bill. Will you help defend our right to boycott by taking 2 minutes to email your MP today? Simply send a message using PSC’s online action: https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/MPboycottvote
You can also join PSC demonstrating outside parliament on Wednesday 10th Jan from 5pm onwards when the vote will take place.
ACTION TWO: Suspend Israel from International Sports petition
https://i.diem25.org/en/petitions/93
ACTION THREE: Read and share solidarity letters to medics and paramedics in Gaza
Ambassadors for HUMANITY – Letters in Solidarity- Disconnected by miles connected through hearts is a moving collection of letters to Medics and Paramedics in Gaza.
https://usapalmhn.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Final-Letters-to-Gaza-PDF.pdf
ACTION FOUR: In person actions taking place Saturday 6 January https://palestinecampaign.org/events/day-of-action-for-palestine-3
ACTION FIVE: Health Workers For Palestine Vigil plus online webinar
Saturday 6 January at 18:00 at 10 Downing Street
We stand again in solidarity with the people of Gaza.
The event will be followed by Pray for Gaza: multi faith speaker event at 20:00 on Zoom
Link to register:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uR2dL1QBSf-Smo-CVrdvdA#/registration
EVENT TO SIGN UP FOR/ SHARE ETC.
Israelism documentary
The team at Israelism have just made their excellent, recent film available to rent for $5 until at least the end of January as a response to the current genocide.
https://kinema.com/events/israelism-worldwide-rental-tdqdt3
Health Workers For a Free Palestine online meeting reflecting on strategies so far
Monday 8 January at 19:00 – 20:30 (UK time)
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qdOuvqjwvGtS7AUoDVCdfgFwsoLp1a3e9#/registration
AMALY is hosting another round of bi-weekly support groups for Palestinians
Saturday 6 January at 19:00 (UK time)
All are welcome to register, but priority will be given to Palestinian registrants. These groups will be facilitated by peers. There is limited capacity.
Please only register if you’re able to commit for the full hour.
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ocO-sqTssE9FJ1-3VSaKO5GTWboD6D7O2#/registration
ACTION HALF-HOUR ON 22 DECEMBER
ACTION ONE: ARREST OF MUNTHER AMIRA, CHAIRMAN OF THE AIDA YOUTH CENTER
In the early hours of 18 December Munther Amira was violently arrested in his home in Aida camp near Bethlehem in the West Bank. Further details of the violent arrest are here:
https://mondoweiss.net/2023/12/palestinian-activist-munther-amira-tied-up-beaten-and-arrested-by-israeli-forces-in-aida-refugee-camp/
This follows the arrest of Anas Abu Srour, the Executive Director of the Youth Center on 29 November.
Full details are available on the Aida Youth Center Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/aidacenter.org
The Aida Youth Center has organised two petitions calling for their release:
#FreeAnasAbuSrour:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4jrwzVo08FdikvEEtdn1Rhh0qAQnFQoESj2K6T01lP_syJw/viewform
#FreeMuntherAmira:
https://www.change.org/p/free-munther-amira?recruiter=1324159610&recruited_by_id=2b2c8eb0-9d7c-11ee-98e6-e58dbbf17381
ACTION TWO: SUPPORT THE FREEDOM THEATRE IN JENIN
On 13 December, Israeli soldiers attacked The Freedom Theatre in Jenin, shooting at the building, destroying offices and assaulting its staff. Artistic Director Ahmed Tobasi, Producer Mustafa Sheta, and theatre graduate Jamal Abu Joas were taken from their homes and detained. Jamal was severely beaten. Ahmed Tobasi has since been released, also beaten. His colleagues, along with approximately 100 other Palestinians taken hostage from Jenin, remain detained. This follows the murder of three members of The Freedom Theatre in the last few weeks.
Ongoing updates are available on the Freedom Theatre Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/thefreedomtheatre
There is an open letter calling for the release of the culture workers who have been arrested:
https://forms.gle/7S3mgPe79wr8X5bZ8
The Freedom Theatre are particularly interested to hear from those working within the theatre industry.
ACTION THREE: SHARE THE INFO-GRAPHIC ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH UNDER OCCUPATION
ACTION FOUR: HOLIDAYS ARE CANCELLED: WEEK OF ACTION FOR PALESTINE
organised by Seeding Sovereignty
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holidays-are-cancelled-week-of-action-for-palestine-tickets-780603565277?aff=oddtdtcreator
All times are UK times which are mostly late at night …
BUT the workshops will be recorded and sent out to those who register
Monday 25 December at 16:00 – Christian Zionism
This workshop will touch on Christian Zionism in the US and abroad.
Wednesday 27 December at 01:00 – Palestinian resistance music
This workshop will touch on the history of Music in Palestine and how that has been used as a form of resistance against oppression.
Thursday 28 December at 01:00 – Make Hummus Not War
Palestinian food is a cherished part of Palestinian culture that has been passed down throughworksh generations. To talk about the food is to talk about the Palestinian people’s deeply rooted history and relationship to their land and water.
Friday 29 December at 01:00 – Jesus was a Palestinian
This workshop is an introduction to the missing historical lens of Jesus and the ancestral land of Palestine. The goal of this workshop is to bring an important conversation to the table and share with participants how to connect with the struggle of the Palestinian people. it is imperative to center the Palestinian liberation movement during these celebrations.
Action Five: Free posters to download from the Slow Factory
https://slowfactory.earth/assets/downloads/Palestine_Posters_Dec2023.pdf
ACTION HALF-HOUR ON 8 December
ACTION ONE: CALL FOR THE RELEASE OF ANAS ABU SROUR
Anas Abu Srour from Aida Camp, Bethlehem arrested
Alarming news concerning a dedicated Palestinian social activist.
Anas Abu Srour, Executive Director of the Aida Youth Center in Aida Refugee Camp, Bethlehem, was arrested by Israeli authorities on Tuesday, 28th November. He is yet another one of our Palestinian friends and colleagues who is experiencing the intensified brutality and injustice that has been unleashed on the Palestinians in the West Bank since 7th October.
https://icahd.org/2023/11/30/anas-abu-srour-arrested/
#FreeAnasAbuSrour
Open letter protesting the abduction
We are writing as concerned individuals, activists, community organizers and civil society organizations who oppose the arbitrary arrest of Anas Abu Srour, the Executive Director of community-based organization Aida Youth Center.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4jrwzVo08FdikvEEtdn1Rhh0qAQnFQoESj2K6T01lP_syJw/viewform
ACTION TWO: Share the stories of young people in Gaza with your friends
A lucky Gazan routine?
I wake up. I’m still alive. And I ask myself, is that a good thing?
Heart-rending letter from a young woman in Gaza on the We Are Not Numbers website
https://wearenotnumbers.org/a-lucky-gazan-routine/
ACTION THREE: Email your MP: Permanent Ceasefire NOW!
It only takes 2 minutes. Don’t worry if you’ve not written to your MP before, you don’t need to be an expert… but just a few words from a constituent like you really helps. You’ll be adding your name to the 350,000 emails already sent to MPs demanding they call for a #ceasefireNOW using our previous e-actions.
https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/MPceasefireNOW
ACTION FOUR: Palestinian Liberation – lessons in solidarity for healthcare providers
Monday 11 December at 3-5pm PST/ 6-8pm EST (23:00 – 01:00 UK time)
The event will be recorded and sent to all registrants
This event is particularly geared towards mental health workers, clinicians, counselors, and students interested in deepening solidarity with Palestinian freedom struggles. Researchers, educators, activists, survivors, peers, current and prior service users, writers, artists, and other advocates are also welcome to join us!
Registration link: https://bit.ly/49ZWpdw
ACTION FIVE: Contesting Zionism, Anti-Semitism & Anti-Palestinian Violence
A teach-in featuring Emmaia Gelman, Ari Brostoff, Arun Kundnani, and Sahar Aziz, moderated by Abigail Krasner Balbale.
There will be a free live stream of the event (but there is no mention on the site of a recording being available later).
Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/contesting-zionism-anti-semitism-anti-palestinian-violence-tickets-770810895137
ACTION SIX: Christmas cards
ACTION HALF-HOUR ON 1 December
ACTION ONE: SHARE THE LETTER FROM DR SAMAH JABR AND LIZ BERGER TO OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
A letter with was published in The Lancet From Dr Samah Jabr and Liz Berger (USA-Palestine Mental Health Network) with the heading “Palestine meeting Gaza’s mental health crisis “. It covers the
current state of mental health services in Gaza (more or less completely destroyed) and then addresses the daunting task of “meeting tremendous mental health needs in the future”. It concludes by emphasising that “the overwhelming need now is not mental health but ceasefire”.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(23)00398-X/fulltext
Kudos to the Lancet that has agreed that the full text of this letter may be freely shared on websites or by email provided that the citation below and link to the website below are included.
Citation to this Letter: Jabr S, Berger E. Palestine meeting Gaza’s mental health crisis. Lancet Psychiatry 2023; published online Nov 28.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00398-X
The Lancet Psychiatry: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/home
The circulation of the PDF version is excluded from this arrangement.
A Word version of the letter with full citation is available here:
ACTION TWO: CITIBANK. IT’S TIME TO DO RIGHT BY PALESTINIANS & HAITIANS.
A damning New York Times investigation confirmed Citibank’s active role in instigating a violent, decades-long U.S. occupation leading to unimaginable suffering for the Haitian people and enormous profits for Citibank. And now Citibank, the largest U.S. bank in Israel, is complicit in the ongoing oppression of another people living under occupation: Palestinians.
https://www.bankingonsolidarity.org
ACTION 3: HEALTHCARE WORKERS KIDNAPPED IN GAZA
14 Healthcare workers who were working at Hospitals all over Palestine were kidnapped by the IOF. Some of these workers were in Gaza heading to the southern part of the Strip through a “corridor” that “Israel” has claimed to be “safe”.
We call for their immediate release and return to their families.
For more information on all the doctors and Gazan medics, check out @gazamedicvoices and @healthcareworkerswatch on Instagram.
https://www.change.org/p/freedom-for-palestinian-healthcare-workers
ACTION FOUR: FREED PALESTINIAN WOMEN PRISONERS SPEAK OUT
Wednesday 6 December at 7pm – 9pm (UK time)
Featuring: Marah Bakir (Beit Hanina), Shorouq Dwaiat (Jerusalem), Janan Abdu Esq. (Haifa), Tala Naser Esq. (Ramallah).
This is a joint Open Classroom Palestine Series, co-organized by Feminists for Justice in/for Palestine and Teaching Palestine: Pedagogical Praxis and the Indivisibility of Justice
It will be a productive and engaging discussion about principled feminist, anti-colonial and decolonial praxis and the indivisibility of justice organized by Feminists for Justice in and for Palestine (F4JP)
email: feminists.justice.palestine@gmail.com
Instagram announcement: https://www.instagram.com/p/C0STU5uL5ZU/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
The event will be live streamed on Facebook & YouTube: @AMED STUDIES SFSU
Register tinyurl.com/4pxnsr47
ACTION FIVE: UK PALESTINE MENTAL HEALTH NETWORK ACTION OUTSIDE MAUDSLEY HOSPITAL
Friday 8 December, between 2.45 pm and 4.00 pm (UK time)
There will be banners and placards to draw attention to our presence. The main aim is to distribute leaflets and sign people up for the mailing list. We do hope some of you will be able to join us. If you have questions, please write to ukpalmhn@gmal.com
ACTION HALF-HOUR ON 24 NOVEMBER
ACTION ONE: Share the stories of young people in Gaza with your friends
A lucky Gazan routine?
I wake up. I’m still alive. And I ask myself, is that a good thing?
Heart-rending letter from a young woman in Gaza on the We Are Not Numbers website
https://wearenotnumbers.org/a-lucky-gazan-routine/
ACTION TWO: Contribute a letter to Letters for Palestinian childhoods
Organised by Rachel Rosen, Professor of Sociology, UCL Social Research Institute
The idea is to draw on our knowledge of childhood to counter the dehumanising narratives about Palestinians, showing solidarity by attending to the names, stories, experiences, dreams, and struggles of Palestinian children and the conditions which are so violently shaping their lives.
We have some letters already collected and some wonderful artists have already contributed original images.
Letters and images will be shared with children in Palestine on social media and through personal contacts (Arabic translations are forthcoming), and can be used in our ongoing efforts to raise awareness including via the media and for efforts to call on our governments to do everything they can to ensure a ceasefire and an end to the Western-backed Israeli occupation and apartheid.
We are inviting submissions of letters and images for Letters for Palestinian Childhoods. Please send text and/or image submissions to me (r.rosen@ucl.ac.uk) if you would like to contribute.
https://reimaginingchildhoodstudies.com/letters-for-Palestinian-childhoods/
OTHER ACTION LINKS
Black Friday: Boycott Genocide Enablers
By Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) and Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI)
HP, PUMA, and Marvel support or provide cover for Israel’s regime of military occupation and apartheid. They are enabling Israel’s genocidal war on Palestinians in Gaza. Take action for Black Friday and Cyber Monday to tell them you won’t buy into Genocide.
https://bdsmovement.net/news/black-friday-boycott-genocide-enablers
Shut it Down for Palestine
There is a growing global movement for a Free Palestine. Across the world, millions of people are engaging in demonstrations and organizing major marches in solidarity with Palestine.
https://www.shutitdown4palestine.org/
CODEPINK Black Friday toolkit for Palestine
We at CODEPINK are encouraging people to not let consumerism distract us from the dire situation in Gaza. Reject consumerism and use Black Friday to help educate others on the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement!
https://www.codepink.org/boycottblackfriday
Other World by by Maya Al Khaldi
Contemporary re-interpretation of traditional Palestinian music.
https://tawleef.bandcamp.com/album/other-world
UK-Palestine Mental Health Network Vigil in Brixton on Thursday 23 November 2023
ACTION HALF-HOUR ON 17 NOVEMBER
MPs who voted against ceasefire: here
ACTION ONE: Amnesty International UK – Demand an Urgent Ceasefire In Gaza and Israel – Now
Intended for everyone
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/ceasefirenow
ACTION TWO: Justice for Gaza
Intended for everyone
Invitation to join an international popular initiative to advocate for the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and prosecute the Israeli government for the crimes and collective punishment committed in Gaza since 7 October 2023
https://www.justiceforgaza.info/
ACTION THREE: The Red Clinic: Psychoanalysis in Solidarity with Gaza.
Intended for psychoanalytic clinicians
The Red Clinic is inviting psychoanalytic clinicians to add their signatures to a letter protesting attempts by psychoanalysts inside and outside Israel to mobilise support for the ongoing invasion of Gaza. Please visit this link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eIC8CmfXcihhzMLRusPk_3D90LMrmppcZ_mIf4_cUnA/edit
The Red Clinic is also encouraging your participation in organizing a meeting that will explore the institutional obstacles to standing in solidarity with Gaza.
ACTION FOUR: No Tech For Apartheid
Intended for everyone
Google and Amazon are directly fuelling Israel’s deadly assault on Gaza.
https://www.notechforapartheid.com/#newmode-embed-14660-40026
[The site itself is interesting but please be aware that by signing this petition you will be agreeing to receive emails from 20 (!) activist organisations although you can then unsubscribe from these again one by one, if you wish]
ACTION FIVE: An Open Letter from Global Health Professionals’ published in Social Medicine
Intended for Health Professionals
This open letter has been published in Social Medicine / Medicina Social. Social Medicine / Medicina Social is a bilingual, academic, open-access journal.
Link for signatures:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3geK9m_FwRsQVvT7NvJatNixW85NAx0BIstCXJmsOlR-E0w/viewform
The letter remains open to signatures.
ACTION HALF-HOUR ON 10 NOVEMBER
ACTION ONE: Write to the Hebrew University in support of Professor Nadera Shalhoub Kevorkian
Professor Nadera Shalhoub Kevorkian, a very close and dear colleague and leading member of the Palestine Global Mental Health Network has been asked to step down from her post at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem as a result of her signing the petition to Child Researchers “Childhood researchers and students call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza”.
The university chose to circulate their intemperate letter to her as a result of which she has been subjected to a hate campaign leading to fears for her physical safety. The letter can be seen here (the English text is below the Hebrew).
The British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES) is a British organization whose purpose is to encourage and advance the study of the Middle East in the UK. There is a statement by BRISMES here:
https://twitter.com/OfficialBrismes/status/1719046406596366337?s=2
Further details of the case can be found in the Mondoweiss link:
https://mondoweiss.net/2023/11/in-defense-of-the-freedom-to-speak-out-against-genocide
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
This is the Convention referred to in the letter from the Hebrew University to Nadera. The definition of “genocide” included in the document is:
“In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:
(a) Killing members of the group;
(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.”
A template letter from the USA-Palestine Mental Health Network is available here:
https://usapalmhn.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Supporting-Dr.-Shalhoub-Kevorkian.pdf
There is a good, simple template letter from Friends of Sabeel (A Christian Voice for Palestine) available here:
https://www.fosna.org/the-fosna-blog/fight-for-dr-nadera-shalhoub-kevorkian
The letter from Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh to the Hebrew University could also be used as a template and is available on this page:
https://ukpalmhn.com/gaza-crisis/
Here are the names and email addresses of the persons at the Hebrew University to
whom you can write:
1) Asher Cohen (President) hupres@savion.huji.ac.il
2) Tamir Sheafer (Rector) rector@savion.huji.ac.il
3) Asher Ben Arieh (Dean of social work) benarieh@mail.huji.ac.il
4) Tomer Broude (Law dean) tomerbroude@gmail.com
Letters from academics and Child Researchers will be especially powerful but as many responses as possible will be important.
ACTION TWO: Share two short, recent videos from the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
Our dear colleague and friend, Dr Yasser Abu Jamei, Director of the GCMHP, has released two powerful and moving videos focussing on mental health work in the midst of catastrophe.
What Does GCMHP Need From the International Community?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBrxKF1bKkI
How is Israel’s Bombardment of Gaza Impacting the Work of GCMHP and its Staff?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hkp68pVjIjc
It is striking that these important videos had received respectively 14 views in 4 days and 10 views in 5 days with no comments, likes or shares when first posted. This is unusual. There are increasing suggestions that major tech companies are “shadowbanning” pro-Palestinian content.
This message from Dr Samah Jabr may also help to provide context:
Please share the GCMHP videos to your contacts
Template letter calling for a ceasefire to an MP considered supportive (latest version)
If your MP supports calls for a ceasefire please write to them thanking them for their principled stance
Template letter to MP considered to be not supportive (latest version)
In the case of MPs who respond focussing solely on Israel’s right to defend itself or the need to get rid of Hamas (with some weak caveats about international law) some have chosen to respond along these lines:
“Thank you very much for your reply. Your letter is extremely helpful as it will be archived and produced as evidence when the government is prosecuted for aiding and abetting genocide.”
Please be sure to tailor these templates to convey your own concerns or write your own letter.
Background resource: letter from legal practitioners calling on the UK Government to act urgently to fulfil its international legal obligations in relation to the ever-escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Resources
17 October 2023
Please write to your professional associations(Let us know about the letters you send.)
In our last mailing we asked you to write to your MPs. Many of you did. Today, we ask you to write to your professional association, requesting that they also put pressure on our Government to respect international humanitarian law, and put an end to the carnage in Gaza.
Some Western associations have issued statements that are counter-productive, giving voice to one-sided and anti-Palestinian attitudes. These are dissected in the article by Samah Jabr:
Why US mental health associations justify Israel’s genocidal attack on Gaza.
The British and other Western Governments are using the pretext of the horrific Hamas attacks, and their toll of civilians killed, to justify giving carte blanche to Israel to carry out further outrages against the Palestinian people. The language of ‘human animals’, the refusal to distinguish between civilians and non-civilians, indicates a mindset intent on unrestrained revenge, and capable of carrying out ethnic cleansing. Or even a genocide.
We all know this is happening: no one in the future will be able to say ‘we didn’t know’.
We believe it is the responsibility of civil society to raise its voice as never before – as it has so often failed to do in the past – to appeal that we do not simply witness another cycle of massacres followed by intensified repression. A different road has to be found.
But in this moment, if we speak with one voice, we can use our limited but still significant influence to call, on humanitarian grounds, for an end to the war crimes and crimes against humanity that are being committed in Gaza.
Please write to your professional association pressing them to issue public statements that:
– acknowledge the suffering of all the families and communities whose members have been murdered, both Palestinians and Jewish Israelis
– urge adherence to international law which forbids the killing of civilians, or acts of collective punishment (such as the denial of food, water, electricity, medical aid, and the maintenance of the siege)
– call for an immediate end to the bombardment, and for a cease fire, creating the opportunity for a negotiated way forward.
Open Letter to the Department of Health
(which already has over 3,500 signatures)
UK healthcare professionals have also issued an open letter regarding the DHSC’s statement supporting the Israeli state:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8LY0n-5T5SxDtA-oMR04F2hmdCDB6xDRs3HgVQ19-DBIadg/viewform
Jewish Currents: A Textbook Case of Genocide
Israel has been explicit about what it’s carrying out in Gaza. Why isn’t the world listening?
https://jewishcurrents.org/a-textbook-case-of-genocide
A message from the Palestine Global Mental Health Network
‘A Call for Life’
https://www.pgmhn.org/statements/a-call-for-life
Omar Barghouti: Why I believe the BDS movement has never been more important than now
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/16/why-i-believe-the-bds-movement-has-never-been-more-important-than-now
Free Palestine: A Gesture Towards Liberation from Radical Therapists:
Wednesday 18th October 19:00 – 21:00 (UK time)
‘An online creative protest and solidarity space for therapists and healers to stand against colonial violence and genocide in Palestine’:
Tickets Here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-palestine-a-gesture-towards-liberation-from-radical-therapists-tickets-738909838217
Notice of Intention to prosecute UK officials complicit in war crimes
The International Centre for Justice for Palestinians issues letters to the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition of Notice of Intention to prosecute UK officials complicit in war crimes and crime against humanity by Israel in Gaza
https://www.icjpalestine.com/
The Conservative MP preparing to prosecute his own government
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLNR7239xz0
Further information on the current crisis:
a) Birzeit University Union: ‘We are all Palestinians’ in the face of colonial fascism’
b) MedAct Statement: End the Bloodshed
c) ICAHD Statement: ‘On Hamas incursion and Israel’s disproportionate retaliation’
d) Hands Up Project: ‘I thought it could end soon and I’ll have my baby in peace’
e) Palestinian Union of Social Workers and Psychologists: The Israeli apartheid is growing increasingly brutal
f) Palestinian Trade Unions: End all Complicity, Stop Arming Israel
The Elephant in the Room has garnered over 800 signatures (including film maker Ethan Coen) from rabbis, academics, retired ambassadors, and professionals.
https://sites.google.com/view/israel-elephant-in-the-room/response-to-october-7
Open letter from doctors and scientists on what Israel is doing to Gaza
https://www.stopwar.org.uk/article/open-letter-from-doctors-and-scientists-stop-the-gaza-massacre-now
13 October 2023
Statement from a Psychiatrist from Gaza received on 12 October by Whatsapp (name withheld for confidentiality reasons):
“Dear colleagues
Thank you very much for your support. To recap all indicators point to the fact that the Israeli plan is to make life so intolerable in Gaza and push the population either to throw themselves to death or to try to flee to Egypt. It is what the Israeli PM and army chief declared publicly – not my analysis- my prediction is that the population will equally choose one or the other, no other options are available.
As for the intl community. It is clear that the government’s are either intimidated by Zionist pressure, or blatantly supportive of this final solution.
As for me and my family we have decided to stay in Gaza alive or dead, many others have reached this decision.
There will be a day where we confront our oppressor and demand justice. Given humanity’s condition during these interesting times, this day will not be in this world.
You do me a last favour by spreading my words of agony, the least we deserve is that humanity hears our cries of pain”
Here is an interview with the excellent Dr Mustafa Barghouti.
https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/10/08/gps-1008-mustafa-barghouti-on-israels-war-on-hamas.cnn
The Palestinian Ambassador in the UK has also given robust interviews on the BBC and Sky. Here they are:
https://youtu.be/tjO_MNh-L1E?si=bUEnSA9XTh5B6Ug3
https://youtu.be/j8TGW10jkCM?si=2ceYihVzKWP1dQaM
Defense for Children – Palestine reports that 447 Palestinian children have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza up to 12 October according to the Ministry of Health.
https://twitter.com/DCIPalestine/status/1712479846440546513
TEMPLATE LETTERS TO MPS
Most up to date versions always available here:
https://ukpalmhn.com/gaza-crisis/
Please be sure to tailor these templates to convey your own concerns or write your own letter.
TEMPLATE FOR LETTER TO MPS (13 October 2023)
Remember to include your full name, address and telephone number and date in the letter or email.
The first letter is to an MP you know to be relatively friendly to the cause of Palestinian rights.
From October 10th, Israel has imposed a total blockade on Gaza preventing supplies of food, water and fuel from entering the enclave and cutting off electricity. As well as the lethal bombardment which is already causing hundreds of deaths including those of over four hundred children, Gaza’s civilians who played no part in the attacks on Israelis are now to be deprived of the absolute necessities for life. Hospitals, already inundated with casualties, only have enough fuel for their generators for another day or two. After that they will simply be unable to function.
These impacts which have resulted from every assault on Gaza are now accompanied by withdrawal of the means to live. Yet this total blockade has received virtually no attention from our government which, meanwhile, issues statements declaring solidarity with Israel and its ‘right to defend itself’. It is surely possible to express deep sympathy for the grief and trauma currently suffered by Israelis without granting their leaders carte blanche to act in this cruel, vengeful and ultimately self-defeating way. The Israeli government accepts that it is employing collective punishment which is illegal under international law. It has now imposed a dictat that the entire population of Northern Gaza – 1.1 million people, including hospital patients leave within twenty four hours. The UN has warned of the utterly catastrophic consequences this will have.
Our government does not have to collude with these war crimes. I ask you, as a matter of extreme urgency, to urge our government to put pressure on Israel to immediately allow essential products to enter Gaza and to call for a cease fire before Gazan citizens die in their tens or hundreds of thousands. There will be many MP’s from all parties who will join this call.
Name / address / contact telephone number. / date.
The second is for an MP who is likely to be hostile or indifferent.
I live in …… in your constituency and take a serious interest in world events. The situation in the Middle East saddens me greatly and I am aware of Britain’s influential historical role in the area.
Gaza is a place of particular tragedy as I know from my contacts both there and in the UK. The violence against Israeli civilians I utterly condemn. My heart goes out to those families affected. My Gaza friends are also experiencing horrors and I wanted to focus on them in this message, not because I feel any less for Israeli civilians, but because I see Israel as having the power to stop the cycle of violence and refusing to do so.
The siege of Gaza has bred a resentment which will not go away. Most people I’ve heard from there want peace but see that they are victims of collective punishment. I am asking you to use whatever influence you have to let Israel know it is doing itself no favours by depriving children and families of electricity, water and aid. The pictures of suffering produced by this will go around the world and strongly influence the young. Sadistic bombing will deter no one, only intensify hate. I know this from discussions with my Gaza contacts. Perhaps you could share this message with other MPs and any Israeli contacts of your own.
Please accept this message in the spirit it is given; for humanity, peace and justice. We seem to be losing all three.
Name / Address / phone number / date.
الشبكة البريطانية الفلسطينية للصحة النفسية 