President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke to the Israel
lobby in Washington essentially promising to liquidate the central struggle
for freedom today. Politicians whether Hosni Mubarak or Netanyahu or Obama
do not change their behavior unless we the people change ourselves and
decide to take matters into our own hands. We the people in the Arab world
and all people of conscience are doing so and we urge you to join us in this
summer of change.
Palestinian civil society organizations applaud the Freedom Flotilla that
will again, in June, challenge the brutal and illegal siege of the people of
Gaza. Decent people around the world will be working in support of this
international initiative. While we rightly focus on Gaza we must not forget
that Israeli colonial authorities are implementing their racist apartheid
policies throughout historic Palestine. In the West Bank (including East
Jerusalem) and in the Negev and the Galilee, ethnic cleansing and
killing/injuring civilians are just some of the many violations of basic
human rights. The aim is always to keep us isolated as well as divided, the
better to achieve the goal of dispossessing us.
We call on civil society organizations and people of conscience around the
world to support and join the other important challenges this summer to the
Israeli apartheid system. After the very successful events on May 15, there
are now two dates of significance: June 5 and July 8-16. On June 5, again,
there is a call for everyone to converge on borders and on checkpoints
throughout Palestine and on embassies and consulates of the apartheid state
everywhere in the world.
We will also have a week of solidarity and action 8 - 16 July. Hundreds of
men, women and children will fly into Tel Aviv airport to visit us in
Palestine. The international community must recognize our basic human right
to receive visitors from abroad and support the right of their own citizens
to travel to Palestine without harassment. Where Israel works to isolate us,
we invite you to join with us openly and proudly as the decent human beings
you are. We do not accept the attempts to keep us apart or to force you to
speak less than with the honesty you are used to.
You will be accommodated locally. You will enjoy Palestinian hospitality and
a program of networking, fellowship, and volunteer peace work in Palestinian
towns and villages. Local activist groups in Europe and in the United States
have organized delegations and hundreds have booked their flights. Once here
much can be done. See this tape about a previous visit organized by our
group
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rif2ZSSeRok
or
http://www.europalestine.com/spip.php?article5786
Dozens of local groups and popular resistance committees* have sponsored the
events and many have been working hard on mobilizing locally. But this work
will need to be intensified to make it a great success that it will be with
your help. We could use all kind of volunteer help (locally and
internationally). Volunteers with different backgrounds and with varied
skills or those willing to be trained are welcome. Email us at
and background so that you can join us to be part of this practical response
to the machinations of politics.
Sponsoring local groups in Palestine
[Local list in formation. Many international groups joined us and organized
delegations. Send us name and contact of your organization/group if you
would like to join]
Al-Rowwad Cultural and Theatre Training Centre,
Alternative Information Center - AIC -
www.alternativenews.org
Ansar Youth Center, Al-Walaja
BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights:
Bil'in Popular Resistance Committee
www.bilin-village.org
Friends of Freedom and Justice, Bil'in
www.bilin-ffj.org
Grassroots Palestinian Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign
Handala Center -
Holy Land Trust:
Ibdaa Cultural Center
www.dheisheh-ibdaa.net
International Solidarity Movement:
www.palsolidarity.org
Open Bethlehem:
Palestinian Centre for Rapprochement between People
www.PCR.PS
Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center (Wi'am)
www.alaslah.org
Palestine Justice Network
Palestine Medical Relief Society
Palestine Solidarity Project
www.palestinesolidarityproject.org
Phoenix Center, Dheisheh Camp
www.phoenixbethlehem.org
Popular Struggle Coordinating Committee
www.popularstruggle.org
Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies,
www.sirajcenter.org
Youth Against Settlements (Hebron)
Youth Activity Center - Aida Camp
and popular resistance committees in 12 Palestinian villages and towns so
far
Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD
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