How to spin a poll on cultural boycott
October 7th, 2012
A poll commissioned by the Jewish Chronicle on British
attitudes towards the boycott of Israel and Israeli performers was
given triumphant coverage on their front page last month (1). A closer look at
pollster YouGov's own press release and the figures (2) suggests a public far
more uncertain, and divided by age, gender and politics, than the JC would
like. We add an example of how you too can spin the figures (3).
Drive to eradicate dissent threatens Ben Gurion University
October 6th, 2012
A multi-post on the threat to the department of politics at
Ben Gurion
University of the Negev,
reflecting the seriousness of the move to eradicate a rare critical voice in
Israeli academia and the extent of disturbance this threat has caused among
those who prize academic freedom and are alarmed at the power far-right groups
can exert in Israeli institutions. Petition, protest letters, news in
chronological order
The idea that two peoples who hate each other can live in one state is absurd
October 5th, 2012
There have always been idealists who believe one democratic
state for Israel/Palestine is the only hope - and fanatics who want one state
in order to annihilate the other. Here Uri Avnery argues why, for him, the
2-state solution is the only realistic hope. Second, Haidar Eid argues that
settlements and lack of negotiations have persuaded more Palestinian
intellectuals and activists to consider the one-state route.
“Land-grabbing and peace-making do not go together.”
October 5th, 2012
Avi Shlaim, Oxford professor of international relations,
distinguished 'new historian' of Israel, and JfJfP signatory tells MEMO that
Netanyahu has to deny Palestinians a political existence in order to insist he
has no partner for peace. He also says the UK
has an Israel lobby but it's
more hidden than in the USA
and British Jews are more divided over speaking out against Israeli policies.
US opponents of Palestinians wield false authority for draft paper on antisemitism
October 5th, 2012
A short definition of antisemitism is not that hard to
arrive at - two are in the Notes in this posting. The controversy comes with
the explanatory examples (especially if Israel is involved), and the status
assigned to the EU Fundamental Rights Agency agency. Ben White looks at how
some American bodies are misrepresenting the FRA's working paper to silence
pro-Palestinian voices as intrinsically antisemitic.
US Quakers divest from three companies over what they sell to Israel
October 5th, 2012
American Quakers have instructed Friends Fiduciary, their
asset management firm, to sell all their shares in Veolia, for environmental
reasons, and in Hewlett-Packard and Caterpillar because their products may be
used for military purposes. "We chose to sell our holdings based on the
peace testimony’’ said the Friends Fiduciary director.
Hamas disputes report on its abuse of human rights
October 4th, 2012
Criticisms of the Hamas government for its lack of respect
for human rights have dogged its five-year rule in Gaza. While, like its neighbour governments
in the West Bank and Israel,
it is accused of acts of torture and arbitrary arrest, it is the lack of due
process, of a criminal justice system, which draws the most opprobrium. The
Hamas defence -- it is acting under siege -- does not convince Human Rights Watch.
New story: Arab Jews not glad homecomers but forced refugees
October 3rd, 2012
It has always been in Israel's interest to have its
subjugation of Palestinians re-presented as a conflict between equal powers. It
now claims they are equal victims. Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon is
spearheading a campaign to reclass Arab Jews who emigrated to Israel as
unwilling refugees due compensation from Arab states. A powerful article by
Daniel Haboucha, 2nd, among 3 incredulous responses.
US can never escape its Mid-East history of onslaught and exploitation
October 3rd, 2012
American diplomatic policy is still driven by its notion of
being the chief actor in finding a peace settlement; but, writes Ramzy Baroud
(1st), the country cannot play this role, so complicit is it in past oppressive
policies. Waiting in the wings is China, free of that history. But,
2nd, writing in 2011, Nima Khorrami Assl, points to China's strategic
interests, its support for the 'peace process' and reliance on US security in
the region..
Resisting the war against memory
October 2nd, 2012
Hannah Arendt and Primo Levi are amongst the great thinkers
to pinpoint the centrality of historical truth to honest politics. Here we post
a report on memories of the Nakba by Israelis who perpetrated it and 2nd, news
of rallies held by Palestinians to commemorate the killing of 13 Israeli
Palestinians by the IDF in 2000 during the Second (more violent) Intifada and
their demand for accountability.
Eric Hobsbawm
October 2nd, 2012
Eric Hobsbawm, intellectual, marxist, communist, historian,
father, husband, grandfather and anti-Zionist Jew, has died aged 95. He
exercised an enormous influence on all those who wanted to understand the
movements of power (including working class power) and capital in the last
three centuries. He and his wife Marlene were early signatories of JfJfP and we
salute, honour and mourn him.
USA tells European governments not to support PA statehood bid
October 2nd, 2012
While the PLO expects the UN General Assembly to vote on
Palestinian statehood on November 29 (2nd), Harriet Sherwood, Guardian, has
seen a memo ('private correspondence' from unnamed American official) to
European governments pressing them not to support any independent UN move by
the PA. The US
has put all its eggs in the 'negotiate 2 states' basket but diplomats criticise
the PA for not engaging in serious diplomacy.
Get ready! Christ to land in Jerusalem
October 2nd, 2012
American evangelical Christians practise what they preach:
expecting the imminent descent of Jesus Christ from the Mount of Olives, they
have set up a TV station in Jerusalem
to film and broadcast the event. First though, the evangelists have to effect
the conversion of the Jews. They claim to have made a good start with the
recent inflow of Russian immigrants. The fate of the Palestinians is not foretold.
Order to confiscate land of Israeli citizens (they are Bedouin)
October 2nd, 2012
One lot of Israeli citizens is to be expelled from its
village in the Negev to make way for another
lot of Israeli citizens. The first is made up of Bedouin who cannot get
building permits and whose village is to be demollshed. It will be replaced by
a new-build settlement for Jews. Adalah's appeal against the decision by the
National Council of Planning and Building was rejected. Reports from Ynet and Adalah.
Leading international lawyers’ group demands end to Israel’s impunity
October 2nd, 2012
The International Association of Democratic Lawyers, the
principal legal NGO holding states to account for infractions of the law, has
taken up the cause of breaches of international law by the Israeli state in Gaza. News from Memo and
information about IADL and its other campaigns.
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