18.01.24
Editorial Note
The UK Government is promoting an anti-boycott legislation in the House of Commons. First introduced in July last year, it is titled “Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill.” The Bill would allow the government to fine public bodies that boycott Israel. The Bill was debated and passed for the third time on January 10, 2024.
However, in Northern Ireland, the Derry City and Strabane Council tries to find a way to continue backing the BDS movement. The Council has had a formal policy backing the BDS movement for nearly ten years. It has recently voted in favor of a new “ethical procurement policy,” which was suggested by BDS campaigner Omar Barghouti.
Barghouti is a Qatari-born Palestinian who studied electrical engineering in the U.S. where he met his Arab-Israeli wife. They moved to Israel and settled in Acre. He then pursued a postgraduate degree at Tel Aviv University’s Philosophy Department. He studied Ethics under the supervision of the peace activist Prof. Marcelo Dascal, in 2000 for nearly a decade. While at Tel Aviv University, he co-founded in 2005 the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI).
Earlier this month, on January 9th, Barghouti addressed the Governance and Strategic Planning Committee of Derry City and Strabane District Council by video. His presentation was titled “Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS): Effective Solidarity, Ethical Responsibility and Ending Complicity in Israeli Apartheid in the Time of Genocide.” Barghouti stated, “The US, supported by the UK and other Western powers, imposed its will, again, on the UN Security Council in its latest vote, preventing a permanent ceasefire and an end to Israel’s deadly siege of 2.3 million Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip. This has given the apartheid state a green light to continue its rolling massacres of tens of thousands of Palestinians, predominantly children, women and civilian men.”
Barghouti continued, “Appreciating that your city council’s tender bids must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis… And that no bidding company must be excluded from tenders or contracts because of its geographical scope of activity, sourcing location, national identity or origin, I therefore propose on behalf of the BDS movement, to your esteemed council to consider the following – an ethical procurement policy that takes into account the involvement of bidders and members of its economic entity in grave professional misconduct, including violations of human rights and/or international law, and allows the council to exclude problematic bidders.”
Likewise, the Northern Ireland city of Derry is to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of Bloody Sunday. On Sunday, January 30, 1972, British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march. The Bloody Sunday incident fueled the Catholic Irish hostility towards the British Army and worsened their conflict. Pro-Palestinian activists found an opening to insert their cause in the commemoration. The Bloody Sunday events this month would center on the conflict in Palestine. During the last week of January, several events will take place. Family members and campaigners are hoping to “shine a spotlight” on the “injustices in Palestine.” Tony Doherty, Bloody Sunday Trust chair and the son of Bloody Sunday victim Patrick Doherty, said it would be an “honor and a privilege” to welcome co-founder of the BDS campaigner Omar Barghouti to deliver the annual Bloody Sunday lecture… The people of this city are well known for standing up against injustice, against inequality, and for using their voices for people oppressed in other places.” Doherty continued: “Derry, and the annual Bloody Sunday commemorations, have always stood in opposition to oppression and injustice wherever they occur. As we mark the 52nd anniversary of Bloody Sunday a number of events will focus attention on the ongoing genocide in Gaza and what we in Derry can do to help the Palestinian people… Omar, who this week addressed Derry City and Strabane District Council to secure support for the BDS campaign, has been to the forefront in providing people across the world with a means to support the Palestinian people in a peaceful, non-violent manner that stands in stark contrast to the genocidal actions of the Israeli government and their allies at this time. The BDS movement is under attack in many parts of the world but I am proud that Derry stands with Palestine. He will take part in a number of events during his visit to Derry providing an opportunity for people to hear directly about his advocacy work and the reality of life for Palestinians under the occupation.”
The Derry Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (DIPSC) has also recently organized a support rally for Gaza, calling for an “immediate end to the Israeli war on Gaza.” The march took place on Saturday, January 13, and took the historic civil rights route of 1968. Catherine Hutton, Chairperson of DIPSC said, “We stand with people all over the world in demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. We call for legal proceedings to begin at once against the Netanyahu government for their genocidal actions. The IPSC fully supports the South African led initiative to hold Israel account at the International Criminal Court.”
According to the program, on Thursday, the 25th of January, Barghouti will attend the Candlelight Procession for the Children of Palestine that will culminate in lighting the Bloody Sunday Monument in the colors of Palestine. On Friday, the 26th of January, he will deliver the 2024 Annual Bloody Sunday Lecture in Derry’s Cultúrlann Ui Chanáin, the Irish Cultural Center. On Saturday, January 27, Barghouti will join a panel outlining effective support measures, including adopting ethical procurement procedures by local councils titled “Palestine: What Can Derry Do?”
Even St Patrick’s Day was not left out of the protest. Celebrated on March 17, many leading Irish politicians travel to Washington for St. Patrick’s Day. This year, however,
campaigners are opposed to the United States’ arming of Israel’s Defense Forces and it’s ongoing “genocide in Gaza.” They have called “to Boycott St Patrick’s Day Celebrations at the White House 2024.” Hutton, the DIPSC chair, established an online boycott petition and said, “no Céad Míle Fáilte or drowning the Shamrock with Joe Biden until he stops arming and funding Genocide in Gaza… This would be a powerful sign of solidarity with Palestine that would reflect the feelings of Irish people & have a massive impact around the world. You are either against genocide in Gaza or you are not. I will not vote for any politician who travels to Washington and shakes the blood-soaked hands of Joe Biden.” Hutton continued, “The people of Derry have shown incredible solidarity with Palestine… In our thousands, in our millions – We are all Palestinians.”
Standing with the Palestinians means standing with Hamas, a radical Islamist terror group aligned with Iran, a brutal military theocracy. Not only did Hamas butcher, rape, behead, burn, and kidnap innocent Israeli civilians, but it used its own civilians as human shields. The Jihadist terror group stole untold millions of aid money to build an extensive tunnel system under hospitals, mosques, schools, and other public places. To add insult to injury, some of the money was used to support a luxury lifestyle for the leadership, while ordinary Palestinians went hungry. Those who dared to complain were severely punished.
The people of Derry should bear in mind that Omar Barghouti has exploited Tel Aviv University while promoting his campaign of BDS against Israel.
They should also note that supporting the Islamist Jihadists in Gaza and their patron, Iran, tarnishes the proud Irish tradition of fighting for justice.
REFERENCES
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/bloody-sunday-campaigners-hope-use-28438702
Bloody Sunday campaigners hope to use anniversary events to ‘shine a spotlight’ on injustice in Palestine
BDS campaign co-founder to deliver annual Bloody Sunday lecture
By
- 11:18, 13 JAN 2024
Bloody Sunday families and campaigners are hoping to use anniversary events this month to “shine a spotlight” on injustice in Palestine.
Tony Doherty, Bloody Sunday Trust chair and the son of Bloody Sunday victim Patrick Doherty, said it will be an “honour and a privilege” to welcome co-founder of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign Omar Bargouti to deliver the annual Bloody Sunday lecture.
The Palestinian rights activist will speak in Derry as part of a lengthy programme of Bloody Sunday events this month that centre on the conflict in Palestine.
“The struggle in Ireland, the process around conflict transformation in Ireland is one that resonates internationally,” she said.
“The people of this city are well known for standing up against injustice, against inequality and for using their voices for people opressed in other places.
“There has always been a link, an alliance and an understanding between Ireland and Palestine generally. There is an historic rationale for that in terms of occupation, lack of self determination. There are similarities and differences but I suppose one of the things Derry prides itself on and indeed the Bloody Sunday families and Bloody Sunday Trust is that we’re able to use the lessons from our own conflict and our own processes here to shine a spotlight on injustice internationally.”
The former Foyle MLA continued: “It’s well known that Free Derry Corner has been used as a platform for many, many struggles and campaigns over generations.
“One of the things in the Bloody Sunday Trust is that, for the 50th anniversary, we reflected on what we had achieved – bearing in mind prosecutions are ongoing. There have been really genuine outcomes from Bloody Sunday – a public apology from a British Prime Minister and what that meant for the families.”
She added: “For the 50th anniversary we had a lecture delivered at that stage by Mustafa Barghouti [Palestinian National Initiative leader]. We have been trying to assist, to help with projects, to donate where we can, and all of that. “It’s right and proper that, given our story and given our history and all that followed from that, that we shine a spotlight on injustice in Palestine.”
On Omar Barghouti’s forthcoming lecture, Tony Doherty said: “As we prepare to mark the 52nd Anniversary of Bloody Sunday it will be both an honour and a privilege to welcome to Derry leading Palestinian Rights activist Omar Barghouti, as he joins the long and distinguished list of national and international figures that have delivered the annual Bloody Sunday Lecture.
“Derry, and the annual Bloody Sunday commemorations, have always stood in opposition to oppression and injustice wherever they occur. As we mark the 52nd anniversary of Bloody Sunday a number of events will focus attention on the ongoing genocide in Gaza and what we in Derry can do to help the Palestinian people.”
He continued: “Omar, who this week addressed Derry City and Strabane District Council to secure support for the BDS campaign, has been to the forefront in providing people across the world with a means to support the Palestinian people in a peaceful, non-violent manner that stands in stark contrast to the genocidal actions of the Israeli government and their allies at this time. The BDS movement is under attack in many parts of the world but I am proud that Derry stands with Palestine.
“He will take part in a number of events during his visit to Derry providing an opportunity for people to hear directly about his advocacy work and the reality of life for Palestinians under the occupation.”
Mr Doherty added: “On Thursday 25th January he will attend the Candleight Procession for the Children of Palestine that will culminate in lighting the Bloody Sunday Monument in the colours of Palestine at 7.00pm.
“On Friday 26th January at 8.00pm in Cultúrlann Ui Chanáin he will deliver the 2024 Annual Bloody Sunday Lecture.
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Omar Barghouti to deliver Annual Bloody Sunday Lecture
Winner of 2017 Ghandi Peace Award and co-founder of the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Campaign
Omar Barghouti to deliver Annual Bloody Sunday Lecture.
Staff Reporter
11 Jan 2024 3:00 PM
Email:
Derry’s Bloody Sunday Trust said it was and “honour and privilege” to be hosting Palestinian Human Rights Activist Omar Barghouti.
Mr Barghouti was the winner of the 2017 Ghandi Peace Award and co-founder of the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Campaign.
Chairperson of the Trust Tony Doherty said Mr Barghouti would be in the city as part of the series of events marking the 52nd Anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
He added: “As we prepare to mark the 52nd Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, it will be both an honour and a privilege to welcome to Derry leading Palestinian Rights activist Omar Barghouti. He joins the long and distinguished list of national and international figures who have delivered the annual Bloody Sunday Lecture.
“Derry, and the annual Bloody Sunday commemorations, have always stood in opposition to oppression and injustice wherever they occur. As we mark the 52nd anniversary of Bloody Sunday a number of events will focus attention on the ongoing genocide in Gaza and what we in Derry can do to help the Palestinian people.
“Omar, who this week addressed Derry City and Strabane District Council to secure support for the BDS campaign, has been to the forefront in providing people across the world with a means to support the Palestinian people in a peaceful, non-violent manner that stands in stark contrast to the genocidal actions of the Israeli government and their allies at this time. The BDS movement is under attack in many parts of the world but I am proud that Derry stands with Palestine.
“He will take part in a number of events during his visit to Derry providing an opportunity for people to hear directly about his advocacy work and the reality of life for Palestinians under the occupation,” said Tony Doherty.
On Thursday, January 25, Mr Barghouti will attend the Candleight Procession for the Children of Palestine that will culminate in lighting the Bloody Sunday Monument in the colours of Palestine at 7.00pm.
On Friday January 26, he will deliver the 2024 Annual Bloody Sunday Lecture, at 8.00pm in Cultúrlann Ui Chanáin.
Tony Doherty added: “In these terrifying and traumatic times for the people of Gaza, international solidarity is more important than ever.
“On Saturday, January 27, Omar will join a panel outlining measures of effective support, including the adoption of ethical procurement procedures by local councils at ‘Palestine: What Can Derry Do?’ from 1.00pm to 4,00pm in Cultúrlann Ui Chanáin.
“As well as participating in the Bloody Sunday Commemorations, he will also be meeting with a range of political and civic organisations in the city during his visit and will attend a civic reception in his honour hosted by the Mayor.”
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https://www.derrynow.com/news/home/1392383/derry-to-march-for-gaza.html
Derry to March for Gaza
Derry part of an international day of action for Palestine
Derry to March for Gaza.
Staff Reporter
11 Jan 2024 10:30 AM
Email:
The Derry Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (DIPSC) has organised a rally calling for the “immediate end to the Israeli war on Gaza”.
Speaking to Derry News, Catherine Hutton, Chairperson of DIPSC said: “The march will take place on Saturday, January 13. It will take the historic civil rights route of 1968, leaving the train station in the Waterside at 12pm and finishing at the Guildhall.
“This will be part of an international day of action for Palestine. Similar events will be happening all over the world.
“We stand with people all over the world in demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. We call for legal proceedings to begin at once against the Netanyahu government for their genocidal actions.
Sponsors of Saturday’s demonstration.
“The IPSC fully supports the South African led initiative to hold Israel account at the International Criminal Court. We urge the Irish government to back South Africa and take a stand for humanity.
“The complicity of the US administration, led by President Joe Biden, in the Gaza genocide should never be ignored or forgotten. We are actively campaigning for all our politicians to boycott the White House this St. Patrick’s Day,” said Ms Hutton.
She added: “The people of Derry have shown incredible solidarity with Palestine.
“We call on them to come out in their thousands to support the march. We are asking for people to bring a doll or a white pillow and pillowcase to showcase and represent the 1000’s of children who have lost their lives. We welcome attendance from all individuals and groups across the city and beyond.
“We would also like to thank the organisations and groups who have sponsored and endorsed the march. Together, we can send a powerful message of solidarity to the Palestinian people and a clear message of resistance to the Israeli oppressors.
“In our thousands, in our millions – We are all Palestinians.”
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https://www.derrynow.com/news/home/1392451/palestinian-bds-campaigner-at-council.html
Palestinian BDS campaigner at Derry Council
‘Rolling massacres of tens of thousands of Palestinians, predominantly children, women and civilian men’ – Omar Barghouti
Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaigner Omar Barghouti at Council
Catherine McGinty
11 Jan 2024 12:00 PM
Email:
catherine.mcginty@iconicnews.ie
Palestinian human rights campaigner, Omar Barghouti has addressed the Governance and Strategic Planning committee of Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Mr Barghouti is the Founder of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which promotes boycotts, divestments and economic sanctions against Israel.
The title of his Council presentation was: ‘Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS): Effective Solidarity, Ethical Responsibility and Ending Complicity in Israeli Apartheid in the Time of Genocide’.
Mr Barghouti is the Founder of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which promotes boycotts, divestments and economic sanctions against Israel.
The objective of the BDS campaign is to pressure Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, and full equality for Arab-Palestine citizens of Israel. It also calls for the “respecting, protecting and promoting of the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties”.
Addressing councillors and members of the public who attended the meeting, Omar Barghouti said: “The US, supported by the UK and other Western powers, imposed its will, again, on the UN Security Council in its latest vote, preventing a permanent ceasefire and an end to Israel’s deadly siege of 2.3 million Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip.
“This has given the apartheid state a green light to continue its rolling massacres of tens of thousands of Palestinians, predominantly children, women and civilian men.
“An expert has told CNN that the intensity of Israel’s bombing had ‘not been seen since Vietnam’. As Israeli military and intelligence officers have admitted to Israeli media, ‘everything is intentional’ in Israel’s ‘factory’ of mass murder in Gaza.
“Nearly two million Palestinians in Gaza have been forcibly displaced, many facing famine and the spread of infectious diseases in overcrowded, unsafe shelters.
“In November, UN experts warned of an Israeli ‘genocide in the making’, having already concluded earlier that Gaza had been ‘running out of time’. Given the scope of Israel’s carnage, the modern day ghetto of Gaza is running out of life.”
According to Mr Barghouti, senior UN official Craig Mokhiber wrote days before leaving his post: “This is a text-book case of genocide.
“The European, ethno-nationalist, settler colonial project in Palestine has entered its final phase, toward the expedited destruction of the last remnants of indigenous Palestinian life in Palestine.
“What’s more, the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, and much of Europe, are wholly complicit in the horrific assault. … they are in fact actively arming the assault, providing economic and intelligence support, and giving political and diplomatic cover for Israel’s atrocities.”
Mr Barghouti added: “In genocide jurisprudence, one needs to prove the intent, which must be pondered against reality and capacity. I shall just cite a few examples of what scholars have considered as irrefutable genocidal intent.
“An Israeli government minister from the Jewish Power party has suggested dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza. Israel’s war minister, Yoav Gallant, infamously called Palestinians in Gaza ‘human animals’ prompting the US-based Jewish Voice for Peace, the world’s largest Jewish anti-Zionist organisation, to say: ‘As Jews, we know what happens when people are called animals. We can and we must stop this. Never again means never again – for anyone’.
“An unprecedented dehumanisation of the entire Palestinian people prevails today in mainstream Western media outlets, like the BBC, and in Israeli society, enabling its unfolding genocide.
“Calls to flatten Gaza, exterminate its residents, or ethnically cleanse them entirely have become mainstream in Israel, feeding the Israeli military’s actual carpet-bombing of entire neighbourhoods, with a clear intent to destroy life-sustaining conditions.
“The UN is warning that many Palestinians, especially children, may ‘dehydrate to death’ as clean water runs out, while Oxfam and Palestinian human rights organisations have condemned Israel’s use of ‘starvation as a weapon of war’”.
He added: “Every civilian life matters, but where you start the timeline in any situation of oppression is a strong indicator of your moral compass.
“After 16 years of a near-total Israeli siege, designed ‘to put the Palestinians on a diet, but not to make them die of hunger,’ as its architect once admitted, Gaza was turned into an ‘unlivable’ zone’, according to the UN.”
According to Mr Barghouti, the BDS movement, launched in 2005, has “won global support from trade unions, farmers’ coalitions, as well as racial, social, gender and climate justice movements, together representing tens of millions worldwide”.
He said: “If you hate oppression, end complicity. If you love freedom, justice, dignity, and equality for all, irrespective of identity, as we do, mobilise pressure to help us dismantle Israel’s 75-year-old regime of settler-colonialism and apartheid, as well as all forms of oppression.”
Thanking Omar Barghouti, Cllr Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit) said Council had attempted to implement BDS but had been “frustrated because of the legalities here”.
He said: “It has been frustrating for us as councillors who support BDS, especially now in the context of the British Government’s attempt to prohibit our ability to advance BDS through Council. We want to take meaningful action that will put pressure on the Israeli state and put pressure on corporations that are complicit in assisting to carry out genocide right now and who are profiting from apartheid and who are profiting from the occupation.”
Cllr Christopher Jackson (Sinn Féin) said he looked forward to welcoming Omar Barghouti to Derry at the end of January to deliver the annual Bloody Sunday Lecture.
He said: “That was probably one of the most powerful presentations that has ever been presented to this Council, given the televised genocide that is currently underway.
“You have outlined better than any of us could have, the current situation in Gaza, where it has stemmed from, what action we can take as a public authority to take a stand, to ensure international law is protected.
“One thing that has remained firm is our Council’s commitment and solidarity to the Palestinian people and for their right to return. That is something our Council is very, very proud of.”
Cllr Brian Tierney (SDLP) said the “most powerful” part of Omar Barghouti’s presentation was when he said, ‘If you hate violence, end oppression’.
“That sums it up for me,” said Cllr Tierney. “We as a society should be doing all we can to show our support to the people of Gaza and doing all we can to support the BDS movement, which this council has a very strong track record on.
“I am proud to say, at least one of the MPs representing this Council area will tomorrow night [Wednesday] vote against the proposal by the British Government [to outlaw BDS] – Colum Eastwood MP for Foyle.
Cllr Gary Donnelly (Independent) observed people in Derry and Ireland “know what it is like to be under the imperialist jackboot”.
He added: “We know what it is like for a world media to blame the oppressed and fail to deal with the oppressor.
“We have two artificial states in this country. We have a counter-democratic process and it all stems from the same organisation, the same British Imperialism that has destroyed the Palestinian state.
“There are those who will try to imply that what is currently ongoing in Palestine is as a result of what happened on October 7. The people of Ireland and the people of the world know that is false.”
The Council committee subsequently passed the suggested motion supporting Ethical Public Procurement.
The full text of the motion can be read HERE.
The full text of title of his Mr Barghouti Council presentation: ‘Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS): Effective Solidarity, Ethical Responsibility and Ending Complicity in Israeli Apartheid in the Time of Genocide’ can be read HERE.
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DCSDC – Governance & Strategic Planning 09/01/2023 Derry City & Strabane District Council
Transcript
thank you 3:59 very much for this invitation I uh deeply appreciate the opportunity to speak to you and to engage with you on 4:06 issues related to Human Rights the United States supported by the UK and 4:12 other Western Powers imposed its will yet again on the UN Security Council in 4:18 its latest vote last month preventing a permanent ceasefire and an end to 4:24 Israel’s deadly Siege of 2.3 million Palestinians in the occupied govern as a 4:30 strip this has given the apartheid state a green light to continue its rolling 4:35 massacres of tens of thousands of Palestinians predominantly children women and civilian men an expert has 4:44 told CNN that the intensity of Israel’s bombing had quote not been seen since 4:50 Vietnam end of quote an Israeli military and intelligence uh as Israeli military 4:56 and Intelligence Officers have admitted to Israeli media quote everything is intentional end of 5:03 quote in Israel’s Factory of mass murder in Gaza nearly 2 million Palestinians in 5:10 Gaza have been forcibly displaced according to the United Nations many facing famine and the spread of 5:16 infectious diseases in overcrowded unsafe shelters recalling Israel’s long 5:22 history of mass forced displacement of Palestinians the UN expert on the UN on 5:29 the human rights of internally displaced persons has said that Israel’s war on 5:34 Gaza quote aims to deport the majority of the civilian population on M end of 5:42 quote in November un experts warned of an Israeli genocide in the making having 5:49 already concluded earlier that Gaza had been running out of time given the scope 5:56 of Israel’s Carnage the modern day GTO of Gaza is running out of life as early 6:04 as October 13th prominent Israeli scholar of the Holocaust and genocide 6:09 Raz seal described Israel’s aggression in Gaza as quote a textbook case of 6:16 genocide over 880 International Scholars as well as leading us and Palestinian 6:22 human rights organizations and many US un experts have also warned of an 6:29 unfolding genocide in Gaza agreeing with seal senior un official Craig mber wrote 6:36 days before leaving his post at the UN quote this is a textbook case of 6:42 genocide the European ethn nationalist settler Colonial project in Palestine 6:48 has entered its Final Phase toward the expedited destruction of the last 6:54 remnants of indigenous Palestinian life in Palestine what’s more the governments 6:59 of the United States the United Kingdom and much of Europe are wholly complicit in the horrific assault they are in fact 7:08 actively arming the assault providing economic and intelligence support and 7:13 giving political and diplomatic cover for Israel’s atrocities end of 7:19 quote in genocide jurist Prudence one needs to prove the intent which must be 7:26 pondered against reality and capacity I shall just cite a few examples of what 7:32 Scholars have considered as irrefutable genocidal intent Israeli Prime Minister 7:38 Benjamin Netanyahu said quote you must remember what amalik has done to you 7:45 says our Holy Bible end of quote he was referring to Samuel 153 which says quote 7:52 now go and smite amalec and utterly destroy all that they have and spare 7:58 them not but slay lay both man and woman infant and suckling ox and sheep camel 8:04 and ass end of quote an Israeli government Minister from the Jewish power party has suggested dropping a 8:12 nuclear bomb on Gaza Israel’s war minister yav Galant infamously called 8:18 Palestinians in Gaza quote Human animals prompting the us-based Jewish voice for 8:25 peace the world’s largest Jewish anti Zionist organization to say quote as 8:31 Jews we know what happens when people are called Animals we can and we must 8:39 stop this never again means never again for anyone end of 8:45 quote an unprecedented dehumanization of the entire Palestinian people prevails 8:51 today in mainstream Western media Outlets like the BBC and in Israeli 8:57 Society enabling its unfolding genocide calls to flatten Gaza exterminate its 9:04 residents or ethnically cleanse them entirely have become mainstream in Israel feeding the Israeli military’s 9:11 actual carpet bombing of entire neighborhoods with a clear intent to 9:16 destroy life sustaining conditions Israel’s numerous war crimes 9:22 and crimes against humanity have included the intentional bombing of residential buildings refugee camps 9:29 hospitals ambulances bakeries solar panels water reservoirs infrastructure 9:36 and the use of white phosphorus on crowded civilian neighborhoods the UN is 9:42 warning that many Palestinians especially children may dehydrate to death as clean water runs out while 9:50 Oxfam and Palestinian human rights organizations have condemned Israel’s use of quote starvation as a weapon of 9:58 war and of quote the extent of this us Israeli 10:03 induced hunger in Gaza according to expert reports has eclipsed even the 10:09 near famines in Afghanistan and Yemen of recent years Israel has killed more civilians 10:16 in Gaza in 30 days than Russia has in its entire war in Ukraine which began 10:24 almost two years ago but the Gory timeline of life and death death did not 10:30 begin with the Palestinian paramilitary groups attack on Israeli military basis 10:35 and settlements around Gaza on October 7th during which hundreds of Israeli 10:41 civilians and soldiers were killed every civilian life matters but where you 10:49 start the timeline in any situation of Oppression is a strong indicator of your 10:56 moral compass after 16 years of a near total Israeli Siege designed to quote 11:04 put the Palestinians on a diet but not to make them die of hunger end of quote as its architect once admitted Gaza was 11:13 turned into an unlivable Zone according to the UN the Health Care system was 11:19 near collapse 96% of the water was undrinkable 60% of 11:25 children were anemic and many suffered from stunted growth due to severe 11:32 malnutrition a generation of young Palestinians were psychologically scarred from the bombings and The Siege 11:39 and this was before now Gaza is a site of unfolding 11:46 genocide even someone like me a Palestinian human rights Defender who 11:51 has for four decades experienced documented and peacefully resisted 11:58 Israel 7 2-year-old regime of settler colonialism and apartheid cannot quite 12:04 know how to deal with the world’s first televised 12:09 genocide the UN Secretary General has sounded the alarm that Israel’s war on Gaza poses a serious threat to world 12:17 peace and security indeed if Israel evades accountability this would usher in a new 12:24 era of Might makes right that threatens weaker Nations and communities worldwide 12:32 if they dare to defy systems of domination and subjugation and pursue 12:38 Justice Israel’s impunity is reducing the already frail foundations of 12:45 international law to tatters as Irish President Michael D Higgins puts 12:52 it much of the western establishment has duly parroted Israel’s claim that 12:58 Palestinian arm armed groups attack on October 7th was quote unprovoked and 13:03 Israel’s assertion about its right to self-defense quote allow me to share 13:09 Five Points on this based on my ethical perspective first as the Brazilian 13:16 philosopher Paula FR writes quote with the establishment of a relationship of 13:22 Oppression violence has already begun never in history has violence been in 13:28 initiated by the oppressed violence is initiated by those who oppress who 13:35 exploit who fail to recognize others as persons not by those who are oppressed 13:41 exploited and unrecognized end of quote the reaction of the oppressed whether 13:47 one considers any aspect of it morally or legally justifiable or not is always 13:53 just that a reaction to the initial violence of the 14:00 oppressor second well before October 7th Israel’s far-right government its most 14:05 racist fundamentalist sexist and homophobic ever had been ruthlessly 14:11 escalating its ethnic cleansing Siege prgrams incarceration and daily 14:17 humiliation of millions of Palestinians hoping we would surrender and accept 14:22 oppression as fate third as affirmed by the 14:27 international Court of Justice in 2004 and as prominent international law 14:33 experts and the South African government remind us Israel as the occupying power 14:39 does not have the right to selfdefense using military means against the 14:45 Palestinians under its occupation moreover the genocide 14:50 convention does not allow for any justification to perpetrate genocidal 14:56 acts genocide cannot be under undertaken as retaliation to unlawful acts no 15:02 matter how serious and of course now South Africa is suing Israel at the international court of justice for 15:10 genocide international law actually recognizes the right of all people’s resisting foreign occupation and 15:17 colonization to resort to Armed struggle however the use of force 15:23 against civilians is strictly prohibited and the BDS movement endorses this 15:29 principle fourth condemning any illegal or immoral acts of violence that the 15:36 oppressed May commit in resisting oppression is acceptable only if the 15:42 condemning party has earned the moral standing to do so by being already on 15:49 record condemning the prevailing system of Oppression the initial 15:54 violence fifth since oppression is the RO root cause of violence those who 16:02 sincerely care about ending all violence like we do must act to end 16:09 oppression as the struggle that ended in South Africa has shown ending State 16:15 corporate and institutional complicity in Israel’s system of Oppression especially through the nonviolent 16:20 tactics of BDS is the most effective form of solidarity the BDS movement was launched 16:27 in 2005 by the absolute majority in Palestinian Society it calls for ending 16:32 Israel’s military occupation dismantling its system of apartheid and respecting 16:37 the right of Palestinian refugees to return home anchored in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the BDS 16:44 movement categorically opposes all forms of racism including islamophobia and 16:51 anti-Semitism Bas targets complicity not identity over the last 18 years BDS has 16:59 won Global support from trade unions Farmers coalitions as well as racial 17:04 social gender and climate Justice movements together representing tens of 17:10 millions worldwide it has compelled large multinationals like Puma G4S 17:16 violia orange to end their involvement in Israel’s human rights violations and 17:21 it has played a key role in the decisions by large Sovereign funds and 17:27 major US churches especially Protestant churches in the US to divest from complicit companies and 17:34 Israeli Banks recognizing that ending complicity is not only a prerequisite to meaningful 17:41 solidarity but also the most profound moral ethical obligation everyone and 17:49 every entity has City councils worldwide have adopted diverse effective measures 17:57 Barcelona has cut all relations with aparte Israel’s government in response 18:02 to its ongoing genocide as have the Belgian city councils of Le and verier 18:09 long before the current genocide the city councils of Oslo in Norway and BM 18:15 in Brazil have also adopted meaningful policies to end complicity the Barcelona 18:20 city council is also actively pressuring the Spanish Spanish government to impose 18:26 a full military embargo on Israel highlighting the intersectional and 18:32 organic Nexus between the struggle for Palestinian freedom justice and equality 18:37 and struggles for racial social economic gender and climate Justice based on the 18:43 tenets of international law and the UN guiding principles on business and human rights rejecting all forms of racism and 18:52 appreciating that your city council’s tender bids must be reviewed on a case-by casee basis and that no bidding 18:59 company must be excluded from tenders or contracts because of its geographical scope of activity sourcing location 19:07 national identity or origin I therefore propose on behalf of the BDS movement to 19:13 your ested Council to consider adopting the following an ethical procurement 19:20 policy that takes into account the involvement of biders and members of its 19:26 economic entity in grave professional misconduct including grave violations of 19:33 human rights and or international law and allows the council to exclude 19:38 problematic biders from its tender procedures this ethical procurement 19:44 policy will incorporate widely accepted and precisely formulated International 19:50 norms and standards of business and human rights to explain clearly when exclusion from tenders is Justified 19:59 to end if you hate violence end 20:04 oppression if you hate oppression end complicity if you love freedom justice 20:13 dignity and equality for all irrespective of identity as we do 20:18 mobilize pressure to help us dismantle Israel’s 75y old regime of settler 20:23 colonialism and apartheid as well as all forms of Oppression but for now we need 20:29 your full support to help stop the Gaza genocide thank 20:46 you
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https://www.derrynow.com/news/home/1392500/tory-anti-boycott-bill-opposed-by-sdlp.html
Tory anti-boycott bill opposed by SDLP
‘Legislation designed to silence legitimate dissent and protest against the actions of foreign governments that undermine human rights’ – Colum Eastwood
‘Legislation designed to silence legitimate dissent and protest against the actions of foreign governments that undermine human rights’ – Colum Eastwood.
Staff Reporter
11 Jan 2024 12:30 PM
Email:
SDLP MPs have again voted against Tory legislation designed to “restrict the ability of councils to take positions of conscience on the behaviour of foreign governments and to adapt their own procurement policies to take part in solidarity campaigns such as the BDS movement”.
Speaking following the vote in the British House of Commons this week, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP said: “The extreme Tory anti-boycott legislation is designed to silence legitimate dissent and protest against the actions of foreign governments that undermine human rights. There is no other way to describe it.
“It yet again breaches international law, restricts free expression and undermines the long standing cross-party support for a two state solution between Israel and Palestine. It is astounding to me that any government would push through such an extreme law at any time but while Palestinians in Gaza are being killed in their tens of thousands, it is a grotesque statement from the British Government.
“The SDLP is the only party in the North that has opposed this Bill and backed efforts to scrap it at every stage in the House of Commons. We will continue to use every option available to us to oppose the legislation and defend the rights of councils to take positions of conscience on these issues.”
The breakdown of votes following the third reading of the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill can be found HERE.
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https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/derry-strabane-first-novel-bid-28423359
Derry and Strabane to be first in novel bid to continue BDS campaign despite UK anti-boycott bill
MPs will tonight debate a government Bill to ban councils and other public bodies from boycotting Israeli companies
By Niall Deeney
16:02, 10 JAN 2024
A Northern Ireland council is set to be the first to attempt a novel way to continue backing the BDS movement despite UK government plans to ban boycotts against Israel.
MPs will tonight debate a Bill to ban councils and other public bodies from boycotting Israeli companies.
But the Derry City and Strabane council, which has had a formal policy backing the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement for nearly 10 years, has now voted in favour of a new “ethical procurement policy” suggested by BDS campaign founder Omar Barghouti.
The UK government first introduced its ‘Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill in July last year, and it was given initial backing by 268 MPs (with 70 votes against) after several hours of debate in Westminster.
It would allow the government to fine public bodies that boycott Israel.
Another round of debate is due to take place on Wednesday night in the House of Commons.
Human rights groups such as Amnesty International are calling for a rethink of what it describes as a “draconian anti-boycott bill”.
Amnesty said on Tuesday the bill “effectively grants Israel impunity at a time of flagrant breaches of international law in Gaza and the West Bank” and called on MPs to reject it.
The Derry and Strabane council, meanwhile, is already seeking ways to continue supporting the BDS movement and on Tuesday heard from BDS co-founder Mr Barghouti.
Addressing councillors on the governance and planning committee, Mr Barghouti spoke at length about the plight of the people living in Palestine and the actions of the Israeli government.
He suggested a novel “ethical procurement policy” in light of the rules around boycotts faced by councils in the UK.
“Appreciating that your city council’s tender bids must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis,” he said. “And that no bidding company must be excluded from tenders or contracts because of its geographical scope of activity, sourcing location, national identity or origin, I therefore propose on behalf of the BDS movement, to your esteemed council to consider the following – an ethical procurement policy that takes into account the involvement of bidders and members of its economic entity in grave professional misconduct, including violations of human rights and/or international law, and allows the council to exclude problematic bidders.”
BDS movement co-founder Omar Barghouti speaking to Derry City and Strabane council this week
The suggested policy was proposed by People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin, alongside Sinn Fein councillor Christopher Jackson, and backed by 10 votes to one.
Mr Harkin said the “legalities” around the council’s boycott policy had been “frustrating”.
He added: “The proposal for an EPP [ethical procurement policy] seems right and just, and applies to Israel and any entity involved in crimes against humanity.”
The ethical procurement policy will now be referred to a council working group and must be approved by the wider council.
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https://www.derrynow.com/news/home/1383391/derry-petition-urges-political-boycott-of-white-house-st-patrick-s-day-celebrations.html
Derry petition urges political boycott of White House St Patrick’s Day celebrations ‘No Céad Míle Fáilte or drowning the Shamrock with Joe Biden until he stops arming and funding Genocide in Gaza’ – Derry Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Derry Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign petition urges political boycott of White House St Patrick’s Day celebrations
Catherine McGinty
30 Dec 2023 2:00 PM
Email: catherine.mcginty@iconicnews.ie
Ireland’s politicians are being urged to boycott the traditional White House St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
St Patrick’s Day normally sees an exodus of Ireland’s leading politicians to the US capital.
This year, however, campaigners opposed to the United States’ arming of Israel’s Defence Forces and it’s ongoing “genocide in Gaza” have called on “MLAs, MPs and TDs to Boycott St Patrick’s Day Celebrations at the White House 2024”.
Catherine Hutton, chairperson of the Derry Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign who has established the online boycott petition said there should be “no Céad Míle Fáilte or drowning the Shamrock with Joe Biden until he stops arming and funding Genocide in Gaza”.
Ms Hutton said the signatories to the petition are saying: “I am calling on you [MLAs, MPs and TDs] to boycott St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations at The White House this year.
“This would be a powerful sign of solidarity with Palestine that would reflect the feelings of Irish people & have a massive impact around the world.
“You are either against genocide in Gaza or you are not.
“I will not vote for any politician who travels to Washington and shakes the blood-soaked hands of Joe Biden,” said Ms Hutton.
israel-academia-monitor.com 