The revolutions that swept the Arab world are far from over and 2012 brings new challenges for our community and our movement. Palestine’s freedom remains inextricably linked with the Arab world’s struggle to realize liberation, independence, and unfettered self-determination.

Despite recent attempts to marginalize the diaspora’s role in shaping Palestine’s future, Palestinians living in exile remain committed to Palestine’s freedom and will continue to seek unity over factionalism. From Ein al-Hilweh to Balata, Palestinian refugees anxiously anticipate the day when they can return to Palestine and enjoy her beauty without having to fear occupation and colonization.

We remember those Palestinians that have been released from the shackles of Israeli apartheid, and salute all those that remain behind bars. You are the heartbeat of our movement.

May 2012 bring you and your families health, happiness, and prosperity.

Endorse the statement here.

In recent days, protesters demanding civilian rule in Egypt have again been murdered, maimed and tortured by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and the Interior Security Forces (ISF).

The conspiracy, being brutally implemented in Egypt, is part of a global conspiracy to suffocate mass movements for socio-economic justice and is being done with direct assistance of the American government and the private interests which direct that government. We have word from friends in Egypt that SCAF, ISF and their hired thugs — armed by ongoing shipments of $1.3 billion in weapons from the U.S. government — plan to execute one by one all the leaders of the revolution, and as many activists as they can.

Accordingly, we need to ensure that people and organizers in the US and internationally are involved in closely monitoring the events unraveling in Egypt. By keeping track of the atrocities committed by SCAF and ISF, keeping track of those detained, tortured or targeted, and continuously contacting officials in Egypt and the US to demand accountability, cessation of the atrocities and justice, we can add pressure on SCAF, ISF and the forces they represent. In this way we may be able to play a role in helping save the lives of our Egyptian brothers and sisters.

Evidence of the conspiracy to execute the leaders and participants of Egyptian freedom movement, includes in very small part the following:

• Sheikh Emad of Al Azhar was killed by a bullet entering his right side from short range. This was seen at first hand by witnesses known to members of our coalition. Sheikh Emad was one of a small number of Azhar Imams issuing decrees in support of the revolution. His murder was no accident.
• Sally Tooma, Mona Seif, Ahdaf Soueif, and Sanaa Seif, all female friends and relatives of imprisoned blogger and activist Alaa abd El Fattah, and all known internationally for their political and/or literary work, were detained, and beaten in the Cabinet building.
• A woman protesting against General Tantawi, head of SCAF, was detained and then tortured by having the letter “T” in English carved into her scalp with knives.
• Detainees are being tortured while in courtroom holding pens. Two men (Mohammad Muhiy Hussein is one of them) were killed in those pens.These are only a small number of the horror stories we are hearing. And we continue to receive reports from Cairo about a massive army presence in Tahrir Square and the constant sound of gunshots.These are only a small number of the horror stories we are hearing. And we continue to receive reports from Cairo about a massive army presence in Tahrir Square and the constant sound of gunshots.

In every way, Egypt’s fight is our fight. Just like us, Egyptians are the 99%, fighting for social, political and economic justice.

The same 1% that arms the Egyptian dictatorship commits systematic violence in this country against the Occupy movement; antiwar and solidarity activists; and Arabs, Muslims, and other communities of color.

As the US Palestinian Community Network recently observed, “the same US-made tear gas rains down on us in the streets of Oakland, Cairo and Bil`in.”

Because of Egypt’s key strategic location, the fate of its revolution echoes across the world. Its success will bring us all closer to achieving economic and social justice. But its defeat would be a major blow to social justice movements everywhere, including Occupy.

In short, Egypt is key to the continued success of the Arab Revolution, and movements she has inspired.

For all these reasons, we ask Occupy and all U.S. social justice activists to join us in mobilizing to defend our Egyptian brothers and sisters by immediately organizing mass convergences on Egyptian embassies, missions, consulates, and at U.S. government offices, to demand:

• Cancel all US aid and shipment of military and police materiel to Egypt!
• Stop the murders, tortures and detentions!
• Release all detainees and political prisoners!
• Immediate end to military rule in Egypt!

Issued by (list in formation):

Ad Hoc Coalition to Defend the Egyptian Revolution
Al-Awda NY: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition
Egyptian Association for Change- NY
Existence is Resistance
International Socialist Organization
Jan25 Solidarity for Democracy Network
New York City Labor Against the War
Labor for Palestine
Palestine Solidarity Network – Bay Area
Raha Iranian Feminist Collective
Siegebusters Working Group
6 of April Youth Movement America
Socialist Action
United National Antiwar Coalition
US Palestinian Community Network

Please endorse and circulate this appeal widely. Please send statements with these demands to the bodies listed below*

www.defendegyptianrevolution.org and defendegyptianrevolution@gmail.com

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:

TUESDAY

Call/write-in to Egyptian government.

Ministry of Defense
Field Marshall Mohamed Hussein Tantawi Soliman
Phone: 01120222916227
Fax: +(20) 2 2 5748 822 (+20) 22 291 6227
E-mail: mod@idsc.gov.eg
Website: http://www.mmc.gov.eg

Dr.Kamal El Ganzory, Prime Minister
Phone: +202-2793-5000
Fax: +202-2795-8048
E-mail: pm@cabinet.gov.eg
Website: http://www.cabinet.gov.eg/Cabinet/Prime_Minister.aspx

WEDNESDAY

2:00pm until 7:00pm
Protest against SCAF in NYC
Egyptian consulate, 1110 2nd Ave # 201 New York, NY 10022-2093
https://www.facebook.com/events/260847190641653/

USPCN is an endorser of this statement, which was initiated by multiple organizations in Northern California and the Bay Area. To endorse, email: bay2egypt@gmail.com.

As 2011 gives way to 2012, people’s movements for justice are met with unprecedented global militarization. From Oakland to Egypt, people are demanding democracy and an equitable distribution of wealth while attacked with tear gas and pepper spray, rubber bullets and live ammunition. We have become all too familiar with the recent images of the words “Made in the USA” on tear gas canisters used against Egyptians, thousands of whom have been injured and scores killed. Others have experienced firsthand the brutality of these weapons used against the decolonize/occupy movements in the US. Tear gas, however, is but one manifestation of this assault.

Militarization is not new. Police brutality is not a recent phenomenon. Communities of color and poor communities have long faced the violence of systems of power. Police brutality, racial profiling, surveillance of communities, control of media and communication, and attacks on immigrants in the US are all connected to the global militarization we are seeing in Egypt and other places where people are fighting for their freedom. What we are witnessing today is an illumination of these acts of violence as thousands stand together in defiance of such assaults.

We echo this resolve. We will not allow corporations to profit off the brutality against our people in the US or abroad! Egyptian revolutionaries have asked for the movements in the US to shutdown the manufacturing and shipment of weapons and we heed their call in solidarity. We are calling for a targeted campaign against the corporations that profit off the use of these chemical weapons. These corporations have paved the way for a systemic attack against movements for justice.

We must also hold our government accountable for their hand in repression abroad and demand they stop military aid to Egypt. We will not allow our tax dollars to be used in supporting corporations and dictators that profit from and facilitate state violence against our people in the US and abroad!

Endorsed By:

•  Al-Awda, SF – Palestine Right of Return Coalition
• ANSWER – Act Now to Stop the War and End Racism
• AROC – Arab Resource and Organizing Center
• ISO – International Socialist Organization
• Labor for Palestine
• New York City Labor Against War
• SJP – Students for Justice in Palestine at UC Davis
• Syrian American Council, Bay Area
• USPCN – US Palestinian Community Network
• War Resisters League, New York

On this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the US Palestinian Community Network marks 64 years since the partition of Palestine – 64 years of ongoing resistance, steadfastness and continuing commitment to free our land and our people. Today, we are in a time of revolution, and increasing global solidarity with our cause.  We are nearing the end of what has been a momentous year for the Palestinian people and the Arab nation. 2011 is almost over, but revolution continues throughout the Arab world. From Tunisia and Egypt to Bahrain and Yemen, the Arab revolutions are evolving in their own ways, demonstrating that the Arab people’s resolve against political despotism remains strong.

The Arab people recognize that the strategic enemies of justice and peace include puppet Arab regimes alongside Israel and its continued colonization and occupation of Palestine. The treachery of the puppet Arab regimes that are all too willing to suppress their own people while at times feigning support for Palestine is glaringly obvious. It is equally clear that the United States cares nothing for the freedom and self-determination of Arabs, as is apparent in its massive military, economic and political support for Israel, threats of war and assassination throughout Arab countries, and its complete disregard for the movements of the Bahraini, Yemeni and Saudi people against their dictatorial regimes. U.S. intervention, threats, and military and political maneuvers are a threat to Arab freedom and liberation – not a support. Despite attempts to co-opt the Arab revolutions and protect the status quo, however, there is no doubt that the Arab peoples will continue to demand freedom, equality, and unfettered self-determination until the last dictator is deposed and the Arab people can stand united against occupation, Zionism and all forms of globalization and exploitation.

Among all people in the region, Palestinians understand this historical moment to indicate that the Arab street rejects the status quo and seeks to create a future that is filled with hope and opportunity rather than despair and repression. Having in many ways inspired the 99% Movement in the United States, the proverbial Arab Spring is an unequivocal rejection of the puppet Arab regimes that are physical manifestations of the power abused by the world’s imperial powers. The 99% Movement must recognize its ongoing connection to and draw inspiration from the continuing Arab revolutions. The same corporate greed against which the 99% has mobilized has worked to sustain Arab dictators that prioritize money over their people’s dignity and freedom. Furthermore, Palestine is part of the 99% of the world, and the 99% Movement should also stand together with Palestinians to confront unfettered empire,settler colonialism, military and war profiteering. On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity, we encourage all cities and “occupations” in the 99% Movement to hold rallies, teach-ins, film screenings, and discussions about Palestine – and how to build our mutual solidarity as part of a global resistance to corporate power and imperial domination. We salute our comrades in the 99% Movement who have held Kuffiyeh Days, built Intifada Tents, and occupied the occupiers of Birthright Israel and the Boston Israeli Consulate – such examples hold brilliant promise for future solidarity as the same US-made tear gas rains down on us in the streets of Oakland, Cairo and Bil`in.

As Egypt continues its revolution in the face of increased repression, we are reminded that the revolution is not comprised of a single action or a series of protests. Rather, revolution is a mindset, an ongoing quest to disturb the status quo and promote freedom, equality, and self-determination through fair and representative self-government. Throughout this year, the Arab masses have demonstrated that they are the only genuine force that can bring justice, peace, and stability. We stand with the people of Egypt in their struggle to continue the revolution, confront military rule, and build a liberated Egypt that can reclaim its rightful role as a true leader of the Arab people.

At this critical juncture, we must also be wary about those forces that wish to divide us and use Arab or Palestinian institutions or official bodies to undermine and co-opt the Arab revolutions. However, we have strong faith in the Arab masses who are fully aware of their capacity to affect change without foreign intervention or interference. We also recognize and renounce attempts by the United States to treat Palestine as if it is a separate issue, totally disconnected from the popular uprisings that have gripped the Arab world. On the contrary, the Palestinian revolution is now – as it has always been – central to the Arab revolution and the achievement of true liberation. On this day of solidarity, USPCN reiterates that we will realize Palestine’s liberation through mass mobilization, revolution, political unity, and institution building, not through “peace processes” that prioritize colonial expansion over indigenous people’s rights.

As the forces in solidarity with the Palestinians continue to increase in size and strength, we remember those – Palestinian and others – who have given their lives for Palestine’s sake, and hold close to our hearts those that remain imprisoned behind the bars of settler-colonialism and apartheid. In this time of revolution, we call on all Palestinians, Arabs, and solidarity activists alike to renew their spirit and continue to struggle for Palestine’s liberation.

US Palestinian Community Network

Throughout the holiday season, we encourage everyone to pause and reflect on our collective struggle for liberation and return, and the sacrifices that must be made to realize a free Palestine. As hundreds of thousands across the Arab world and the United States continue to protest against corporate greed, political elitism, despotism, we are reminded that revolution and social change belong to the people, and that power will acquiesce nothing without a demand.

May each year bring you and your family health, happiness, and strength.

US Palestinian Community Network’s response to the Palestinian Authority September statehood bid

Andrew Dalack
Email: ajdalack@gmail.com
Telephone: 734-645-6860

August 27, 2011

In recent months, the Palestinian Authority has been intensifying diplomatic efforts to declare statehood at the United Nations. Wasting no avenue, the PA has been seeking to mobilize popular forces in Palestine and in the shatat (diaspora) behind this initiative.  Students, community associations, solidarity campaigns, and organizers, across the US, have all been called upon to “make Palestine the 194^th state.”

We call on all Palestinian and Arab community associations, societies and committees, student organizations, solidarity campaigns, to reject fully and unequivocally the Statehood initiative as a distraction that unjustifiably and irresponsibly endangers Palestinian rights and institutions.

Any diplomatic initiatives, including the initiative at the United Nations this September, must preserve the status of the PLO as the sole representative of the Palestinian people at the United Nations and protect and advance our inalienable rights. The current Statehood initiative does neither, and is therefore an unacceptable threat to the Palestinian national movement.

We call on all Palestinians across the United States to participate in strengthening the campaign for direct elections to the Palestinian National Council by participating in Palestinian Movement Assemblies and Community Meetings for Democratic National Representation. Held throughout the summer, these meetings will continue through the fall and throughout the country.  They will grow as the campaign grows, building a critical mass for our demand for democratic representation. You can find more information and when a PMA will be taking place near you here.

Let us all join the rally at the United Nations on September 15 (more info). The march will take place on Thursday, September 15 in New York City, with a 4:30 gathering in Times Square followed by a 5:30 march to Grand Central and the United Nations.  Coordinated by a broad coalition of organizations and campaigns, the Palestine UN Coalition demands the United Nations hear our voice. We are the people of Palestine, we are the allies of Palestine, and we will be heard by the General Assembly.

USPCN’s Coordinating Committee has attached a comprehensive statement titled, “Liberation and Return are the Demands of the Palestinian People: A note of caution to our people and our allies,” to this press release, which further clarifies USPCN’s position, articulates an alternative to the Palestinian Authority’s subversive maneuvering, and explains the current statehood bid within the context of the broader Palestine liberation movement and its goals.

uspcn.org

### 

Liberation and Return are the Demands of the Palestinian People:

A note of caution to our people and our allies

In recent months, the Palestinian Authority has intensified diplomatic efforts to declare statehood at the United Nations. Wasting no avenue, the PA has been seeking to mobilize popular forces in Palestineand in the shatat (diaspora) behind this initiative.  Students, community associations, solidarity campaigns, and organizers, across the US, have all been called upon to “make Palestine the 194^th state.”

While the call sounds attractive, many community members wonder what to make of it. Will this initiative bring Palestine closer to liberation? Will it help Palestinians achieve their right to return?  Some have remarked that, if nothing else, it will not hurt.

The US Palestinian Community Network, a grassroots community-led network of democratically elected chapters across the US, asserts that such initiatives, in fact, do hurt. They are not benign exercises, but can cause great damage to achievements made through the hard, brutal, struggle of generations of Palestinians.

As has been recently revealed, this initiative in no way protects nor advances our inalienable, and internationally recognized, rights—fundamental of which are our right to return to the homes and properties from which we were forcibly expelled, our right to self-determination, and our right to resist the settler colonial regime that has occupied our land for more than 63 years. The Palestinian people, wherever they are, hold these rights. They are non-negotiable. No one can barter them away for false promises of “peace” and “stability.” The cynical irony of turning a UN resolution enshrining our right to return under international law (UNGA Res. 194) into a rhetorical ploy should give anyone pause.  That it is being advanced at a time when the PA does not even have the political mandate of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza through Palestinian Legislative Council elections must also give us pause.

Our inalienable rights give us the foundational principles with which we seek liberation and return. When these two things are achieved, it is then that we will achieve independence. Not before, and not without the mandate of the entirety of the Palestinian people. Indeed, it is in struggle and the emboldening of our emancipatory spirit that we free ourselves. Resistance is our first independence.

But, the question remains. Who protects our inalienable rights? Who speaks in the name of the Palestinian people?

In our long Palestinian revolutionary struggle, no matter where we lived, we fought for our right to determine our own destiny; pave a path to freedom that would be of our own design, our own democratic will. In 1968, we rescued the Palestinian Liberation Organization from Arab regimes, and through a generation of struggle and sacrifice, transformed it into the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, recognized by the Arab League and by the United Nations.

Through the PLO, and its countless popular committees, associations, unions, and camp formations, many (though not all) Palestinians had a voice within their movement.  Indeed, it is that popular democratic mobilization that gave the PLO its legitimacy. And in its continued role as legitimate representative, the PLO, and only the PLO, has the legal mandate to advance the political will of the Palestinian people.

Any diplomatic initiatives, including the initiative at the United Nations this September, must therefore preserve the status of the PLO as the sole representative of the Palestinian people at the United Nations and protect and advance our inalienable rights. The current Statehood initiative does neither, and is therefore an unacceptable threat to the Palestinian national movement.

We say this knowing full well that, in the last few decades, the PLO has been decimated by corruption, ineptitude, collaboration, and betrayal. It must be reclaimed, cleaned, revived and rebuilt. It is we, the Palestinian people, across the shatat and in the homeland, who will do it.  It is ours. We will not allow it to be stolen from us. The PLO must expand to truly represent all Palestinians, inside Israel, in the West Bank and Gaza, in the camps, and across the shatat.  It is we who give it legitimacy; it is we who give political mandate to our leadership; it is we who will breathe new life into our long too dormant national institutions through popular democratic mobilization.

In the mean time, we hold the current occupants of PLO positions ultimately responsible for protecting the PLO’s role as the representative of the Palestinian people. A failure to do so must have consequences.

We call on all Palestinian and Arab community associations, societies and committees, student organizations, solidarity campaigns, to reject fully and unequivocally the Statehood initiative as a distraction that unjustifiably and irresponsibly endangers Palestinian rights and institutions.

We need not be concerned that to do so would be to stand with the interests of the US or Israel.  Lack of US and Israeli support for the statehood initiative is a red herring, meant to distract us from the continued support that both have provided for an Authority and “peace process” that daily cost the Palestinian people their liberty, self-determination and lives.

However, such an initiative nonetheless has potential to positively impact our struggle.  It clarifies for us that we must return to a framework we once had, but one that has been thwarted by decades of endless and cynical negotiations, diplomatic stunts, and “peace deals.” We must return to a framework of genuine struggle and a cohesive and coherent strategy built upon our inalienable rights.

The first step in such a strategy must be an escalated focus on Palestinian mobilization for direct elections to the Palestinian National Council (PNC), the legislative body of the PLO.  It is the PNC that holds the mechanism by which Palestinians can collectively determine the strategy the PLO must execute in our name. Its democratization is key to cohering us, bringing back to us our collective force. Indeed, democratization of our movement must reach into all aspects of our political work, in each of our community associations, as well as all our student, labor and popular formations.

We therefore call on all Palestinians across the United States to participate in strengthening the campaign for direct elections to the Palestinian National Council by participating in Palestinian Movement Assemblies and Community Meetings for Democratic National Representation. Held throughout the summer, these meetings will continue through the fall and throughout the country.  They will grow as the campaign grows, building a critical mass for our demand for democratic representation. You can find more information and when a PMA will be taking place near you here.

Organize an assembly, community meeting, or town hall in your area. USPCN will be with you every step of the way, with support, guidance and coordination.  We can only demand of our struggle what we put into it. We are indivisible from the Palestinian people. We must activate and elevate our role in the shatat for our common liberation and return.

To students, solidarity campaigns and allies, we caution you against this distraction of resources, time, and energy. The path for solidarity and mutual struggle is clear. We must continue the work of building our common struggles for all forms of emancipation and liberation. We must continue to isolate Zionism, and strengthen the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement in the United States by getting involved in the growing campaigns across the country. We must return to international institutions with our inalienable rights intact, and utilize all legal instruments, vigorously, to challenge Israel’s impunity for its continued and unceasing crimes in Gaza. We must support the legal campaigns against Israeli war criminals, shame them, hound them, and try them at the International Criminal Court for their continued crimes against our humanity.

And we must also take to the streets. Let us all rally at the United Nations on September 15 (more info). The march will take place on Thursday, September 15 in New York City, with a 4:30 gathering in Times Square followed by a 5:30 march to Grand Central and the United Nations.   We demand the United Nations hear our voice. We are the people of Palestine, we are the allies of Palestine, and we will be heard by the General Assembly.

To our beautiful brave Arab people, from Tripoli to Cairo to Homs to Sana’a to Amman to Manama, we salute you and stand with you. In devoting ourselves to our liberation, we honor your sacrifices and struggle for our Palestine and for our Arab future. Stand with us, open the gates and crossings that besiege us, and rest assured: we will not stop until the banner of freedom flutters above the skies of our Jerusalem.

Until liberation and return.

US Palestinian Community Network
August 27, 2011
http://www.uspcn.org
uspcn@uspcn.org

التحرير والعودة هي مطالب الشعب الفلسطيني

بيان صادر عن شبكة الجالية الفلسطينية في الولايات المتحدة

حول طرح عضوية فلسطين في الامم المتحدة

 Download as PDF

خلال الشهور القليلة الماضية، ضاعفت السلطة الفلسطينية من جهودها الدبلوماسية من أجل الاعلان عن الدولة في الأمم المتحدة. وبدون إضاعة أي فرصة فقد طالبت السلطه الفلسطينيه (على غير ما إعتدنا عليه) بدعوة  القوى الشعبية في فلسطين والشتات لانجاح هذه المبادرة. ووجهت دعوات إلى الطلبة، ومنظمات المجتمع المدني، والحملات المنظمة، والمؤسسات، في مختلف أنحاء الولايات المتحدة للاعلان عن فلسطين الدولة رقم 194 في الأمم المتحدة.

وبينما تبدو الدعوة جذابة، إلا أن هناك العديد من أعضاءالجاليه ومن خلال تجمعاتهم  ونشاطاتهم المختافه بدأوا يتساءلون عمّا سيؤدي تحقيق مثل هذه المبادرة. هل ستجعل فلسطين أقرب إلى دحر الإحتلال ؟ هل ستساعد الفلسطينيين على نيل  حقهم بالعودة؟ وقد أشار البعض بالقول أن هذه المبادرة إن لم تحقق شيئا، فلنها لن  تضر.

إن شبكة الجالية الفلسطينية في الولايات المتحدة ، (والتي  تمثل شبكة مجتمعية واسعه الإنتشار  والتي تضم ناشطات وناشطيين  تم انتخابهم  بالطرق الديمقراطية في الفروع  المختلفه في  أنحاء الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية)، تؤكد أن مثل هذه المبادرات القاصره  قد تضر أكثر مماقد تنفع   فإنها  ليست مجرد مناوره بريئه ، بل قد تؤدي إلى ضرر كبير على صعيد الانجازات التي تحققت من خلال الجهود الشاقة والمضنية، والتضحيات، وكفاح أجيال من أبناء الشعب الفلسطيني.

وكما أشير مؤخرا فإن هذه المبادرة لن تحمي ولن تطور حقوقنا الشرعية والدولية الأساسية والتي تمثل حقنا في العودة إلى وطننا وممتلكاتنا والتي طردنا منها بالقوة، وحقنا في تقرير المصير، وحقنا في مقاومة النظام الاستيطاني العنصري الذي احتل أرضنا منذ أكثر من 63 سنة. إن الشعب الفلسطيني، وأينما كانوا، يمتلكون هذه الحقوق. إنها غير قابلة للتفاوض. ولا أحد يستطيع إقناعهم بالوعود الزائفة بـ (السلام) و (الاستقرار). إن القرارالذي يشرع ويثبت حق الفلسطينيين في   العودة الذي أصدرته الأمم المتحدة بموجب القوانين الدولية (القرار رقم 194) يستحق التوقف عنده وقفة تأمل. لقد  تم اتخاذ هذا القرار عندما لم تكن منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية تمتلك قوة سياسية لتمثيل الفلسطينيين فقط في الضفة الغربية، ولا سلطه يتم  انتخابها عن طريق انتخابات مجلس تشريعي فلسطيني، إذ أن هذه السلطه محدوده الصلاحيات ليست مخوله في التحدث بإسم الفلسطينيين أينما كانوا وهذه أيضا تستحق وقفة تأمل.

إن حقوقنا المشروعة تزودنا بمباديء أساسية والتي من خلالها نحصل على التحرر والعودة. وعند إنجاز هذين العنصرين، فعندها فقط سوف نستطيع تحقيق الاستقلال. وليس قبل، وليس بدون موافقة كاملة لجميع أبناء الشعب الفلسطيني. وفي الحقيقة، فإن ذلك يتم من خلال النضال وتجسيد روحنا النضالية وهي التي تحقق لنا التحرير. والنضال هو أول عناصر استقلالنا. ولكن، يبقى السؤال، من الذي يحمي هذه الحقوق المشروعة؟ من الذي يتحدث باسم الشعب الفلسطيني؟

وخلال نضالنا الفلسطينيالوطني الطويل، وبغض النظر عن مكان عيشنا، فقد ساهم كل من تجمعات شعبنا في النضال كل بموقعه للحصول على حقنا لتقرير مصيرنا، ومهدنا الطريق إلى الحرية التي صممناها بأنفسنا، وعملنا على تحقيق إرادتنا الديمقراطية. وفي العام 1965، فقد قام شعبنا بإلتفافه حول  منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية  بإنقاذها من سيطره وإحتواء الأنظمة العربية، ومن خلال تواصل أجيال من النضال والتضحية، قام شعبنا بمؤوسساته وتنظيماته الوطنيه المكافحه بتحويلها إلى ممثل شرعي وحيد للشعب الفلسطيني، واعترفت بها جامعة الدول العربية والأمم المتحدة.

ومن خلال منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية، فقد كان لآليات العمل الجماهيري العديدة، والمؤسسات، والنقابات، واللجان الشعبيه للمخيمات، والعديد من الهيئات الفلسطينية التي كان لها صوت مسموع في هذه الحركة. وحقيقة، إن الحركة الديمقراطية الشعبية هي التي أعطت لمنظمة التحرير الفلسطينية شرعيتها. ومن خلال دورها المستمر كممثل شرعي، فقد تمكنت منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية، وفقط منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية، من تطوير الارادة السياسية للشعب الفلسطيني. إن منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية بمحتواها الكفاحي وحدها، هي القادرة على الحماية والدفاع عن حقوقنا وإنجازاتنا.

إن أي مبادرات دبلوماسية، بما فيها المبادرة المقدمة إلى الأمم المتحدة خلال شهر سبتمبر الحالي، يجب أن تحافظ على وضع منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية كممثل شرعي وحيد للشعب الفلسطيني في الأمم المتحدة وتحافظ وتطور من حقوقنا المشروعة. وإذا بانت هذه  المبادرة الحالية لاقامة الدولة الفلسطينية لا تحقق ذلك ، فهي بالتالي تمثل تهديدا غير مقبول للحركة الوطنية الفلسطينية.

إننا نقول هذا ونحن نعلم علم اليقين بأنه و خلال العقود القليلة الماضية، تعرضت منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية للضعف بسبب تفريغها المدروس من محتواها الكفاحي و فساد معظم ما تبقى من رموزها ، وسوء السلوك، والتعاون، والغدر.دون حسيب أو رقيب أومرجعيه لمؤوسساتها التي  يجب أن يعاد إصلاحها، وتنظيفها، وإحياؤها وإعادة بناؤها.

 إننا نحن –تجمعات الشعب الفلسطيني – في مختلف مناطق الشتات والوطن، هم الأجدر والأحق بالمساهمه  المباشره وبالقيام بهذه المهام إنها لناولن نسمح بأن يتم سرقتها منا. وعلى منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية التوسع لتمثيل كافة الفلسطينيين، داخل اسرائيل، والضفة الغربية وغزة، وفي المخيمات، وفي مناطق الشتات. إننا نحن من يعطيها الشرعية، ونحن الذين نعطي الشرعية السياسية لقيادتنا؛ ونحن الذين نتنفس حياة جديدة في مؤسساتنا الوطنية من خلال التحرك الديمقراطي الشعبي.

وفي الوقت نفسه، فإننا  نحمل كل من يشغل مواقع قياديه اليوم  في منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية  كامل المسؤولية في حماية دور منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية كممثل للشعب الفلسطيني. وأن الفشل في القيام بهذا الدور، سيؤدي إلى الكثير السلبيات والتي قد لايحمد عقباها .

إننا ندعو جميع الفلسطينيين ومنظمات المجتمع العربيه المختلفه  الحريصه على قضاياها والقلب منها قضية فلسطين، و كافة النقابات والجمعيات، واتحادات الطلبة، وقادة الحملات التوعوية، إلى الرفض الكامل بدون شروط لمبادرة االسلطه الفلسطينية حيث أنها تزيد من المخاطر وتضعف من الحقوق الشرعية للفلسطينيين ومؤسساتهم وإن هذه المناوره ماهي إلا قول حق يراد به باطل.

 إن قلة دعم الولايات المتحدة واسرائيل لمبادرة الدوله   يعني تشتيتنا عن الدعم المستمر الذي وفر سلطة و (عملية سلام) والتي باتت تكلفنا  يوميا الكثير من الضحايا الفلسطينيين وحرمانهم من حقهم في النضال  لتقرير مصيرهم.

على الرغم من كل ذلك   من المهم الإشاره  أن مثل هذه المبادرة  تحمل في طياتها أثرا ايجابيا على نضالنا.فهي توضح لنا بأن علينا العودة إلى الاطارالدولي  الذي كنا نستندعليه سابقا، ولكنها ضعفت بسبب المفاوضات المباشره الفاشله و المستمرة والصفقات الأمنيه. وعلينا العودة إلى إطار النضال الحقيقي والاستراتيجية الشاملة والمتكاملة التي بنيت  أساساعلى حقوقنا الشرعية.

وتتمثل الخطوة الأولى في مثل هذه الاستراتيجية في تصعيد التركيز على الحركة الفلسطينية لاجراء انتخابات مباشرة للمجلس الوطني الفلسطيني، والسلطة التشريعية لمنظمة التحرير الفلسطينية. إن هذا المجلس هو الذي يجب أن يعمل نيابة عنا. وأن  ديمقراطية هذا المجلس تشكل عنصرا رئيسيا لتماسكنا، وإعادتنا إلى قوتنا الجماعية. وفي واقع الأمر، فإن دمقرطة حركتنا يجب أن تصل إلى كافة عناصر العمل السياسي، وفي كل منظمة مجتمعية، إضافة إلى طلبتنا، والمؤسسات الشعبية أجمع.

وبناء عليه، فإننا نطالب كافة الفلسطينيين في مختلف أنحاء الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية للمشاركة في تعزيز حملة لاجراء انتخابات مباشرة للمجلس الوطني الفلسطيني عن طريق المشاركة في حركات التجمع الفلسطينية ولقاءات المجتمعات لتحقيق تمثيل ديمقراطي وطني. وعند عقدها خلال فصل الصيف، فإن هذه اللقاءات سوف تستمر حتى الخريف وفي كافة أنحاء الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية. وسوف تنمو وتكبر مع نمو الحملة، وتبنى لتحقيق التمثيل الديمقراطي لشعبنا. ويمكن الاطلاع على مزيد من المعلومات وعند حدوث اللقاءات في منطقتك المجاورة.

قم بتنظيم تجمع، لقاء مجتمعي، أو لقاء في إحدى قاعات البلدة في منطقتك. وسوف تكون  USPCN معكم خطوة خطوة، وتقدم المساندة، والتوجيه والتنسيق. وعندها، يمكننا فقط المطالبة بالنضال الذي نريد. إننا جزء لا يتجزأ من الشعب الفلسطيني. وعلينا تفعيل وزيادة دورنا في الشتات لتحقيق التحرر والعودة لجميع أبناء الشعب الفلسطيني.

إلى الطلبة، قادة الحملات والنخبة، إننا نهيب بكم الحيطه والحذر من هذا التشتيت في الجهود، وإهدار الوقت، والطاقة. إن مسار الوحدة والنضال المشترك واضح. وعلينا الاستمرار في العمل لبناء نضالنا المشترك لكافة أشكال التحرر. وعلينا الاستمرار في عزل الصهيونية، وتعزيز المقاطعة، وفرض العقوبات عليها. كما أن علينا العودة إلى المؤسسات الدولية للحصول على حقوقنا المشروعة، واستغلال كافة الوسائل القانونية، لمعاقبة اسرائيل، وتحدي قوتها واستمرارها في ارتكاب الجرائم في غزة. ويجب أن نساند الحملات القانونية ضد مجرمي الحرب الاسرائيليين،وأن نلاحقهم أينما كانوا ونطالب بمحاكمتهم لدى محكمة الجنايات الدولية على جرائمهم المستمرة ضد شعبنا.

وإضافة لذلك، فعلينا تنظيم المظاهرات في الشوارع، لنتحد في الأمم المتحدة في الخامس عشر من سبتمبر. ونطالب الأمم المتحدة بسماع صوتنا. إننا شعب فلسطين، ونحن حلفاء فلسطين، وسوف يتم سماع صوتنا من الهيئة العامة للأمم المتحدة.

إلى أهلنا الشجعان، إلى جماهيرنا العربيه في كل مكان  من طرابلس إلى القاهرة إلى حمص إلى صنعاء إلى عمان والمنامة، إننا نحييكم ونقف إلى جانبكم. وبتكريس أنفسنا للتحرر، فإننا نقدر تضحياتكم ونضالكم لتحرير فلسطين ومستقبل الأمة العربية. قفوا معنا، افتحوا الأبواب والمعابر  ، وتأكدوا؛ إننا لن نتوقف إلى عند رفع راية الحرية خفاقة في أجواء مدينة القدس.

حتى التحرير والعودة

شبكة الجالية الفلسطينية في الولايات المتحدة

=======================================

شبكة الجالية الفلسطينية في الولايات المتحدة الامريكية هي شبكة أهلية لها اكثر من 20 فرعا بالانتخاب الديموقراطي. تؤكد الشبكة على حق الفلسطينيين في الشتات  للمشاركة في تحديد خيارنا ومصيرنا وهي تسعى لتحقيق الاهداف التالية:

 حق تقرير المصير والمساواة للشعب الفلسطيني.

حق جميع اللاجئين الفلسطينيين في العودة الى ديارهم الاصلية وارضهم واملاكهم وقراهم  - حقٌ غير قابل للتصرف ومدعوم من القانون الدولي

انهاء الاحتلال الصهيوني والاستعمار لفلسطين. 

ان شبكة الجالية الفلسطينية هي ساحة ومنبرا لتجميع الجالية الفلسطينية والتنسيق ورسم الاستراتيجيات المشتركة ، تسعى الشبكة الى تشبيك الجهود وتنظيم الانشطة الموحدة وتبادل المعلومات حول الجهوده المبذولة من اجل قضية فلسطين

The call to action underscores the Geneva Conventions which entitle all people to freedom of movement and protection from collective punishment such as the arbitrary closure of the Crossing.  Fulfilling a demand of the Egyptian revolution, supporters urge their governments to re-open the gates that have turned Gaza into an ‘open air prison’.

The Rafah Crossing is Gaza’s only exit to the external world.  Israel’s continued siege of Gaza includes closure of its six other crossings.

Building on the year’s momentum to break the deadly siege of Gaza, supporters of the call to action include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Laureate; Richard Falk, Professor of International Law Emeritus, Princeton University; Ronnie Kasrils, former South African Chief of Intelligence and Justice Minister; Egyptian novelists and activists Ahdaf Soueif and Radwa Ashour; author Tariq Ali and others.

To sign the petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/government-open-the-rafah-crossing-permanently-and-unconditionally

Signatories will be updated on further actions in support of this campaign as they are announced.

The full text of the petition is included below:

CALL FROM GAZA: OPEN THE RAFAH CROSSING PERMANENTLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY

Besieged Gaza, Occupied Palestine

Article 13 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly states that:

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

This article follows others that unequivocally recognize the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights ofALL members of the human family, which naturally includes Palestinians. The inalienable right to freedom of movement of the more than 1.5 million Palestinian men, women and children who make up the population of the Gaza Strip has been denied by successive Israeli governments and the Mubarak regime which imposed a barbaric siege. Mainstream human rights organizations describe the Gaza Strip as the “largest open-air prison on earth.”

This deadly siege should have ended when the revolutionary Egyptian movement ousted Hosni Mubarak and his murderous regime during which Egyptians in their millions made clear that their emancipation and the freedom of Palestine were their joint and connected goals.

This raised the hopes of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, 1948 Palestine and the shatat (diaspora), as well as millions of others around the world, that the Egyptian government and the Supreme Military Council would finally break the blockade of Gaza, as Egyptians clearly wanted. We expected the Rafah Crossing to be treated as a sovereign border between two states, as open as all other Egyptian border crossings, including those with Libya, Sudan and Israel.   This would ensure the dignity and free movement of Palestinians, and all travelers, to and from the Gaza Strip.

Former Egyptian Foreign Minister, Dr. Nabil Al-Arabi, made very encouraging initial statements that the previous Egyptian government’s treatment of Gaza was “disgraceful” and that the Rafah Crossing would be opened permanently. On 25 May 2011, Egypt’s official Middle East News Agency announced the permanent opening of Rafah. The former rules at the Crossing were to be reinstated, thus allowing Palestinians with passports to cross into Egypt every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Fridays and holidays. According to a statement issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Palestinian women and children would be able to leave Gazawithout restrictions, while men between the ages of 18 and 40 would have to obtain visas to enter Egypt. Thus more than 60 per cent of Gazans would be able to cross without requiring visas.

This decision of the government post-revolution was implemented for just two days: 28-29 May 2011, and this Rafah Crossing policy was in reality retracted without any formal announcement. The current number allowed to pass each day has been reduced to an arbitrary figure of between 160-300 travelers.

The sudden about-turn comes in the midst of the worst medical crisis that Gaza has ever suffered. Most operations have been put on hold as needed basic supplies are not available. Thousands of students have lost the opportunity to further their studies abroad because they have not been able to travel to their universities. Residency permits for Arab and foreign countries of thousands of other Gazans expired when they couldn’t leave Gaza.

The current system requires every potential traveler to register online with the Gaza Ministry of Interior and confirm this registration with the Ministry of Transport. The number registered to cross as of the end of June exceeds 20,000, and with the daily rate of travelers at the Crossing restricted to a maximum of 300, the possibility of crossing before mid-September is almost nil.

Those who travel via Rafah face inhumane conditions: standing for long hours in the heat, then escorted by police to Cairo airport, and then waiting in a holding cell until departure. No other citizens in the world have to endure this humiliation, uncertainty and indignity by another country when they choose to exercise their right to leave their own country.

Palestinians demand freedom of movement now!

These restrictions should no longer be imposed on Palestinian people. It is an offense to the immense ongoing struggles of the Egyptian people in pursuit of human rights for the present Egyptian authorities to so quickly break promises made to them.

Under the Geneva Conventions we are all entitled to freedom of movement and protection from collective punishment such as the arbitrary closure of the Crossing.

Our demand, therefore, is the permanent and free movement of Palestinians, without distinction or limitation of any kind, through the Rafah Crossing.
Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU)

University Teachers’ Association in Palestine (UTAP)

Palestinian Students’ Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel (PSCABI)

General Union of Youth Entities (GUYE)

Palestinian Youth Against Israeli Apartheid (PYAIA)

Arab Cultural Forum

One Democratic State Group (ODSG)

Popular Struggle Coordination Committee, Palestine

Campaign for the Right to Enter the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Karama Campaign for the Free Movement of Palestinians

Palestine Justice Network

Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between People (Beit Sahour)

Al-Rowwad Center (Aida Refugee Camp)

Coalition of the Youth of the Revolution, Egypt

People’s Socialist Alliance Party (PSAP), Egypt

Democratic Workers Party, Egypt

Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights

The Free Egyptian Movement

National Front for Justice and Democracy, Egypt

Popular Democratic Movement for Change, Egypt [HASHD]

ElNadim Centre for the psychological rehabilitation of victims of violence and torture, Egypt

Hisham Mubarak Law Center, Egypt

Arabic Network for Human Rights Information

Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, Egypt

We, the undersigned, stand in solidarity with this demand for basic human rights of the people of Gazaand Egypt:

Tariq Ali, author and activist, UK

Radwa Ashour, author, Egypt

Mona Baker, St. Jerome Publishing, UK

Oren Ben-Dor, School of Law, Southampton, UK

Phyllis Bennis, Institute for Policy Studies, US

Haim Bresheeth, University of East London

Martin Caton, Member of Parliament, UK

Richard Falk, Professor of International Law, Princeton University

James C. Faris

Bill Fletcher, Jr., BlackCommentator.com editorial board

Keith Hammond, University of Glasgow

Nelly Hanna, American University in Cairo, Egypt

Richard Hudson, FBA, London

Colin Imber

Najaty Jabary, Medico, Spain

Fanny and Sonja Karkar, Australia

Ronnie Kasrils, former South African Government Minister, author and activist

Muhammad Ali Khalidi, York University, Toronto

Erwin Lanc, ret. Federal Minister of the Republic of Austria, Yosefa Loshitzky, London

Ian Macdonald, London

Mike Marqusee, author

Nur Masalha, St. Mary’s University College and SOAS, University of London

Hajo Mayer, Holland

Christl Meyer, Women In Black, Vienna, Austria

Gail Miller, Women of A Certain Age, U.S. Boat To Gaza

Fanny-Michaela Reisin, International League of Human Rights-FIDH, AEDH German

Section (President), Jewish Voice for a Just Peace (EJJP Germany)

Dalia Said Mostafa, University of Manchester

Mai Perez Apraiz, Empresaria, Spain

Steven Rose, Open University, UK

Ibrahim Jabary Salamanca, Empresario, Spain

Pilar Salamanca, Escritora, Spain

Waltraud Schauer, Austria

Suleiman Sharkh, University of Southampton, UK

Lidon Soriano, Spain

Ahdaf Soueif, author, Egypt

Baroness Jenny Tonge, UK

Waltraud Torossian

Desmund Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town

Peter & Joan Unterweger

Angela Waldegg, Austria

Organizations:

Al-Awda, Palestine Right to Return Coalition

Al-Awda New York: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition

Americans Against the War, France

American Muslims for Palestine

Arab Resource and Organizing Center, USA

Artdialog, Italy

Artists Against Apartheid, South Africa

Association Des Univirsitaires Pour le Respect du Droit International en Palestine, France

Australians for Palestine

Bay Area Coalition to End Israeli Apartheid, USA

Bethlehem Group, Glasgow, Scotland

Black Alliance for Just Immigration

BRICUP- British Committee for the Universities of Palestine

British Writers in Support of Palestine (BWISP)

Canadian Boat to Gaza Campaign

Caribbean Labour Solidarity

Catalyst Project, USA

Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), USA

Center for Encounter And Active Non-Violence, Austria

Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA)

CODEPINK, USA

Collectif Judéo Arabe et Citoyen pour la Paix- Strasbourg, France

Comitato Varesino per la Palestina, Italy

Comite De Solidariedade Com A Palestina (Committee for Solidarity with Palestine),

Portugal

Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)

Davis Committee for Palestinian Rights, USA

En Nuestro Nombre No- Tucumán, Argentina

Farrah France- Strasbourg, France

Frantz Fanon Foundation, France

Frauen in Schwarz (Wien) – Women in Black, Vienna, Austria

Free Palestine Movement

Friends of Deir Ibzi’a, USA

Gaza Foundation-Rotterdam, Holland

Global Compliance Research Project

Global Exchange, USA

Global Women’s Strike (GWS)

Goldsmiths College (University of London) Students’ Union, UK

Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, USA

Hadeel Palestinian Fair Trade, Scotland

Handicap Solidarité- Strasbourg, France

Headlines Theatre, Canada

International Forum for Secular Bangladesh, UK

International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN), USA

International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN), France

Independent Jewish Voices, Canada

International Payday Men’s Network

International Solidarity Movement

International Solidarity Movement – Northern California

International Solidarity Movement – Chicago

Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC)

Israel Divestment Campaign (California), USA

Italian Peace Research Institute – Net for Civil Peace Corps, Italy

Kritische Jüdische Stimme (Österreich) – Critical Jewish Voice (Austria)

Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods (J-BIG), UK

Jewish Voice for a just Peace in the Middle East (Jüdische Stimme für gerechten Frieden in

Nahost, EJJP, Germany)

Jewish Voice for Peace, USA

Jews Say No! USA

Justice for Palestinians, USA

LA BDS for Justice in Palestine

Labor for Palestine, USA

Leeds Palestine Solidarity Campaign, UK

Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, USA

Merseyside Jews for Peace and Justice, UK

Middle East Children’s Alliance

Middle East Crisis Committee Of Connecticut, USA

National Lawyers Guild – International Committee

New York City Labor against the War, USA

Netherlands Palestine Committee (NPK)

NION – Not in our name – Jews opposing Zionism

Our Developing World, CA, USA

Palcrafts Charity, Scotland

Palestine Action Group, Corvallis, Oregon, USA

Palestine Solidarity Campaign, UK

Palestine Solidarity Committee, South Africa

Palestine Solidarity Alliance, South Africa

Palestine Solidarity Committee (PKR)-Rotterdam, Holland

Peace for Life, Johannesburg

Red Internacional Judía Antisionista (IJAN), Argentina

Red Thread, Guyana

RESCOP, the Spanish network of organizations in solidarity with Palestine:

- Asociacion Al Quds (Malaga)

- Asociacion Hispano Palestina Jerusalen (Madrid)

- Asociacion Paz Ahora

- Asociacion Paz con Dignidad

- Castello per Palestina

- Coordinadora de apoyo a Palestina Rioja (La rioja)

- CSCA (Comite de Solidaridad con la Causa Arabe)

- Ecologistas en Accion (Madrid, Valladolid)

- Grupo de ONG por Palestina (Plataforma 2015 y Mas y Federacion de Asociaciones de

Defensa y Promocion de los Derechos Humanos- Espana) + ACSUR

- ISM Cataluna/Valencia

- Interpueblos (Cantabria)

- Izquierda Anticapitalista

- Komite Internazionalistak (Euskadi)

- MEWANDO (Euskadi)

- Mujeres en zona de conflicto (MZC)

- Mujeres por la Paz- Accion solidaria con Palestina (Canarias)

- Palestinarik Elkartasuna (Euskadi)

- Plataforma Palestina Ibiza

- Plataforma Solidarida con Palestina (Sevilla)

- Red de Jovenes Palestinos

- Red de Judios Antisionistas- IJAN

- REMCODE

- Sodepau

- Sodepaz

- Sodepaz Balamil- Valladolid

- Talua Per Palestina (Baleares)

- Xarxa d’enllaC amb Palestina (Barcelona)

- Xarxa Solidarida Palestina (Valencia)

Right to Return, (D:AR), France

Sabeel-DC, USA

Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights, USA

Scottish Friends of Palestine

Scottish Palestine Solidarity Committee – Edinburgh, Scotland

Siege Busters Working Group

Silicon Valley De-Bug, USA

SOAS Palestine Society, UK

Stop Agrexco Roma

Stop the Jewish National Fund Campaign, UK

South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU)

Trade Union Friends of Palestine (ICTU), Ireland

Un ponte per, Italy

US Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel

US Citizens for Peace & Justice

US Palestinian Community Network

Vic to Gaza first Convoy, Italy

War Times/Tiempo de Guerras, USA

Washington Interfaith Alliance for Middle East Peace, USA

WESPAC Foundation, NY, USA

Women in Black- Strasbourg, France

Women of Color in GWS

Women for Justice and Peace, UK

Women for Palestine, Australia

14 Friends of Palestine, Marin, California, USA

To add your support, go to: http://www.change.org/petitions/government-open-the-rafah-crossing-permanently-and-unconditionally

To contact campaign organizers, email: rafahcrossingcampaign@gmail.com

نداء من غزّة: فليفتح معبر رفح بشكلٍ دائم وبدون قيود!

غزة المحاصرة، فلسطين المحتلّة

30 حزيران 2011

الفقرة 13 من الإعلان العالمي لحقوق الإنسان تنص بوضوح على أن:

1.     لكل فرد الحق في حرية التنقل، واختيار مكان إقامته داخل حدود كل دولة.

2.     لكل شخص الحق في مغادرة اي دولة، بما فيها دولتهُ، وحق العودة الى وطنه.

هذا البند يتبع العديد من البنود التي تعترف ,بشكل لا لبس فيه, بالكرامة التامّة والحقوق المتساوية، غير القابلة للتصرف،لجميع أعضاء الأسرة البشرية، وهذا بالطبع يشمل الفلسطينيين. إن الحقوق المشروعة غير القابلة للنقض لحرية الحركة لما يزيد عن 1.5 مليون رجل، امرأة وطفل فلسطيني في قطاع غزّة يتم إنكارها بشكل متواصل من قِبَل الحكومات الإسرائيلية المتعاقبة، وكذلك عبر النظام المصري السابق، الذين فرضا هذا الحصار البربري على قطاع غزّة. إن غالبية منظمات حقوق الإنسان, بما فيها الاسرائيلية, تصف قطاع غزّة  بأنه”أكبر سجن مفتوح على وجه الأرض”.

    كان يجب أن ينتهي هذا الحصار المميت عندما نجحت الثورة المصرية في اقتلاع نظام حسني مبارك في مصر. خلال هذه الثورة المجيدة أوضج الملايين من المصريين بشكل جلي أن حريّتهم وحريّة فلسطين هي هدفهم المشترك.

  هذه الحقيقة رفعت آمال سكان غزّة، الضفّة الغربيّة واراضي 1948 الفلسطينية والشعب الفلسطيني في المهجر، كما أنها رفعت آمال الملايين في هذا العالم، حيث انهم توقعوا من الحكومة المصرية والمجلس العسكري الاعلى أن يكسر هذا الحصار المفروض على غزّة، وهو الأمر الذي ارداهُ  الشعب المصري. لقد توقعنا ان يتم فتح معبر رفح، وأن ويتم اعتبارهُ كمعبر بين دولتين، مثله مثل بقيّة المعابر المصريّة، بما في ذلك المعابر المصرية مع ليبيا، السودان وإسرائيل. هذا الامر يضمن الكرامة وحريّة الحركة للشعب الفلسطيني، لكل المسافرين من وإلى قطاع غزّة.

  لقد قام د. نبيل العربي، وزير الخارجيّة المصري الاسبق، بإصدار عدد من التصريحات المشجّعة ومنها أنّ الطريقة التي تعاملت بها الحكومة المصرية السابقة  مع غزة كانت “مخزية” وانهُ سيتم فتح معبر رفح بشكل دائم. في الخامس والعشرون من أيّار 2011، أعلنت وكالة الشرق الأوسط الإخبارية المصرية الفتح التام لمعبر رفح. وأن القوانين التي كان يُعمل بها في السابق ستكون موضع التنفيذ للسماح للفلسطينيين حملة جوازات السفر الفلسطينية العبور إلى مصر يومياُ من الساعة التاسعة صباحاً حتى الخامسة مساءً، ما عدى أيام الجمعة والأعياد الرّسميّة.

 واستناداً لما صرّحت به وزارة الخارجيّة المصريّة، فإن الفلسطينيين، نساءً واطفالاً، سيستطيعون دخول مصر بدون قيود، بينما يتوجب على الرجال من سن 18 – 40 تقديم طلبات للحصول على تأشيرات لدخول مصر. هذا يعني انه أكثر من 60% من الفلسطينيين في غزّة سيتمكنون من دخول مصر بدون تأشيرات العبور.

 هذا القرار الذي صدر عن الحكومة بعد الثورة تم تطبيقهُ ليومين فقط؛ 28 و29 أيار 2011، حيث انّه تم التراجع عن هذا القرار بدون أي إعلان رسمي. إن عدد الفلسطينيين الذي يتم السماح لهم بالعبور إلى مصر الان لا يتجاوز ما يقدّر ب160-300 مسافر.

هذا التراجع المفاجئ يأتي بينما تعاني غزّة من أسوأ أزمة أدوية مرّت بها. حيثُ مُعظم العَمليات الجراحيَّة تم إيقافها بسبب عدم توفُّر المتطلبات الأساسية.

 كما ان الآلاف من الطلاب فقدوا الفرصة للحصول على دراسات عُليا خارج القطاع لأنهم حُرموا من السفر إلى جامعاتهم في الخارج. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، فإن تأشيرات الإقامة في البلاد العربية والأجنبية قد انتهت صلاحيتها للعديد من سكان قطاع غزّة الذين مُنعوا من مغادرة القطاع.

 إن النظام المعمول به حالياً يتطلًب من كل مسافر ان يقوم بالتسجيل عبر الإنترنت على موقع وزارة الداخلية في غزّة، والتأكيد على هذا التسجيل عبر الموقع الالكتروني لوزارة المواصلات. لكن رقم المسجلين حتى نهاية شهر حزيران تجاوز 20.000 بينما العدد الأقصى المسموح للسفر عبر المعبر يومياً هو 300 شخص، لذا فإن إمكانية العبور قبل منتصف أيلول القادم هي تقريباً صفر.

 أولئك الذين يسافرون عبر معبر رفح يواجهون اوضاعاً غير إنسانيّة: يقفون لفترات طويلة في الحَر، و الفلسطينيون الذين يأتون عبر مطار القاهرة يتم حجزهم في مكان ضيق و من ثم ترحيلهم بصحبة الشرطة المصرية الى المعبر،. لا يجب على أي إنسان ان يتعرّض لهكذا إهانة، و المصير المجهول والتحقير من قبل أي دولة عندما يختار ممارسة حقّهُ في مغادرة وطنه.

 الفلسطينيون يطالبون بحقّهم في حريّة الحركة الآن!  إن التقييدات المفروضة حالياً يجب رفعها عن الشعب الفلسطيني،. بل إنها اهانة للنضال المتواصل للشعب المصري.

 إن اتفاقيات جنيف تضمن لنا جميعاً الحق  في حريّة الحركة والحماية من العقوبات الجماعيّة مثل الإغلاق الاعتباطي العشوائي للمعبر.

 لذا، فإن مطلبنا هو حريّة الحركة للشعب الفلسطيني، دون شرط او تمييز،و دون قيود عبر معبر رفح.

• الاتحاد العام لنقابات عمال فلسطين
• جمعية أساتذة  الجامعات في فلسطين
• حملة طلاب فلسطين للمقاطعة الأكاديمية لإسرائيل
• الاتحاد العام للهيئات الشبابية
• شباب فلسطين ضد الأبارتهيد الاسرائيلي
• المنتدى الثقافي العربي
• مجموعة الدولة الديمقراطية الواحدة
• اللجنة التنسيقية للجان الشعبية
• حملة الحق في السفر لللأراضي المحتلة
• حملة الكرامة  لحرية حركة الفلسطينيين
• شبكة العدالة لفلسطين
• المركز الفلسطيني للتقارب بين الشعوب
•  مركز الرواد مخيم عايدة

إننا الموقعون أدناه، نقف تضامُناً مع هذا المطلب الأساسي لحقوق الإنسان لمواطني غزّة ومَصرْ:

 من جمهورية مصر العربية

ائتلاف شباب الثورة

حزب العمال الديمقراطي

الحركة الشعبية الديمقراطية للتغيير (حشد)

حركة المصرى الحر

الجبهة القومية للعدالة و الديمقراطية

حزب التحالف الشعبي الاشتراكي

المبادرة المصرية للحقوق الشخصية

مركز النديم للتأهيل النفسي لضحايا العنف و التعذيب

مركز هشام مبارك للقانون

الشبكة العربية لمعلومات حقوق الانسان

مؤسسة حرية الفكر و التعبير

الكاتبة أهداف سويف

الكاتبة رضوى عاشور

On Monday, 11 July 2011, the Israeli Knesset passed new legislation outlawing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement [i]; a non-partisan grassroots initiative that seeks to pressure Israel to comply with international law and recognize fundamental Palestinian rights.

The bill bans all advocacy and action to boycott any Israeli companies, within Israel and the occupied Palestinian West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem [ii]. Furthermore, any company can be awarded compensation without even having to prove direct damage. The law is so broad that it could potentially be used not only against citizens of Israel, but also against Palestinians living under occupation in the West Bank and Gaza. The legislation leaves Palestinian and Israeli solidarity groups who promote the boycott of any Israeli company liable to be sued and the vagueness of the bill opens all activists to arbitrary persecution.

We, Palestine solidarity and social justice groups based in the United States, reiterate our support and endorsement of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement. We stand by our friends who will be legally subject to this draconian bill, which seeks to further deligitimize the non-violent struggle against Israeli apartheid.

This latest escalation in Israeli repression tactics aims to stifle the BDS movement. The call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, endorsed by over 170 Palestinian civil society groups in 2005 [iii], has been adopted by hundreds of solidarity organizations worldwide that seek to put pressure on Israel until it complies with international law.

Not only do Palestinian and Israeli groups actively organize campaigns within Israel and occupied Palestine; but projects like Who Profits? [iv] also educate the international community by researching the true dealings of Israeli companies and enable many campaigns in the justice for Palestine movement.

This bill follows upon the ‘Nakba law’, which defunded any institution that acknowledged the ethnic cleansing of Palestine in 1948. Such repressive legislation particularly targets Palestinians inside Israel, who are already subject to apartheid and extensive institutionalized racism as well as political persecution.

Israel has maintained such discrimination against Palestinian citizens of Israel, alongside its illegal siege of Gaza, its brutal military occupation of the West Bank, its de facto annexation of East Jerusalem, its ongoing denial of the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees and its policies of ethnic cleansing since before 1948.

Additionally, Israel recently suppressed other non-violent initiatives; pressuring foreign governments to obstruct the Freedom Flotilla II [v], which was organized to challenge the illegal blockade and siege of the Gaza Strip and the “Flytilla” which brought to light that Palestinians cannot even receive visitors [vi].

The global BDS Movement will not be stopped, intimidated or harmed by this latest Israeli attempt to repress the legitimate struggle for Palestinian rights. We will heed the Palestinian call to escalate our BDS campaigns. We stand side by side with our sisters and brothers in this struggle for rights and justice.

Organizational Endorsers - Sign on Here!

The list of individual endorsers may be viewed at the USACBI website.

Stand up for Palestinian human rights! Stand up for civil rights in Victoria!
Oppose the criminalisation of protests in support of Palestine!

On 1 July 2011, the Victorian police viciously attacked a peaceful pro-Palestine demonstration in Melbourne’s CBD. In one of the largest political arrests in a decade, 19 non-violent protesters were arrested during a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) action against Israeli-owned Max Brenner store. The chocolateria in the Queen Victoria Centre is owned by the Israeli conglomerate ‘Strauss group’; a company that provides “care rations” for the Israeli military, including the Golani and the Givati brigades – two of the key Israeli military brigades involved in Israel’s brutal assault on Gaza in December 2008/January 2009, which killed more than 1300 Palestinians, the majority of whom were civilian, including over 300 children.

The attack on the peaceful BDS action in Melbourne highlights increasing attempts to criminalise BDS and pro-Palestine solidarity activism internationally. Currently in the US, France and Greece, hundreds of pro-Palestine activists are facing criminal charges for non-violently standing up for Palestinian human rights. The attack also highlights the attacks on civil liberties, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly in Victoria by the Baillieu government. In June 2011, Bailleu’s Coalition government introduced new laws extending police powers, allowing the Victorian police to issue on-the-spot fines of up to $240 for using “offensive” language. The new laws do not define clearly what “offensive” language is, allowing individual police officers to arbitrarily decide what is offensive or not.

We call on all supporters of human rights, freedom of speech and civil liberties to stand in solidarity with the 19 BDS/pro-Palestine activists who were beaten and arrested by the Victorian police on July 1.  Support and/or join the “Boycott-Israel19″ Defence campaign today!

Current Signatories

Organisations

Refugee Action Collective (Victoria)

Byron People for Peace and Justice

US Palestinian Community Network

US Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel

The National Lawyers Guild - Free Palestine Subcommittee (USA)

Friends of Palestine (WA)

Al-Awda NY – the Palestine Right to Return Coalition

Conscious Hip Hop Group - The Brothahood

Boycott from Within, Israeli BDS group

Leeds Palestine Solidarity Group

Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Action Palestine, Scotland

Action for Palestine, Adelaide

Australian Friends of Palestine Australia, Adelaide

Justice for Palestine, Brisbane

Individuals

Norman Finkelstein, author and academic

Independent journalist and author - Antony Loewenstein

Joe Carolan, Organiser Unite Union, New Zealand

Gerry Conlon

Dr Jeff Sparrow, editor, Overland

Jacinda Woodhead, Associate editor, Overland magazine

Tony Harris, longtime member of the Australian Greens

Jake Lynch, Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney

Sameh A. Habeeb – The Palestine Telegraph

Joe Catron – International Solidarity Movement – Gaza Strip

Clare Solomon – 2010 President of Goldsmiths Students’ Union, University of London

James Haywood, President, Goldsmiths Students’ Union, University of London

Patrick Wolfe,  Historian and writer

Hela Rahman, Auckland University Students for Justice in Palestine

Mannie De Saxe, Lesbian and Gay Solidarity, Melbourne

Assiye Aydin, Federation of Australian Muslim Students and Youth

Tess Beckett

Stephen Garvey

Heba Ibrahim

Scott Verschuren

Leyal Aksu

Dr Dougal McNeill, Wellington, New Zealand

Dawoods David, South Africa

Professor Jane Kenway

Bonnie Newman

Dr Robert Austin

Viviana Ramírez

Helen Patterson

Sefa Varsan

Luke Weylan

Colin Cook

Bill Fox

Shirley Fox

Lindsay Fitzclarence

Olivia Ball

Dr Kathryn Hegarty

Dr. Ron Witton

Fay Waddington

Simon Gibson

Jill Toulantas

Henry di Suvero

Blayne Nelson, Manchester, UK

Monique Nash, Newcastle, NSW

Emma Fullerton, Glasgow, Scotland

Claire Akhbari

Alex Bainbridge

Raul Bassi, Gaza Defence Committee, Sydney

Janice Taylor

Emanuel Stoakes

Pietra Robins

Ryan Laws

Denis Rogatyuk

Rory Dufficy

Dr Nick Shimmin

Jane Novak

Kate Ausburn

Rebecca Wickham

Simon Aplin

Liz Ross, author of Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win: Builders Labourers Fight Deregistration, Socialist Alternative

Adam Ford

Kendall Lovett

Jack Howard, Australian Labor Party

Ray Bergmann, Justice for Palestine, Brisbane

Carol Christie

June 29, 2011

Dear Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,

We are writing to commend you for your principled decision not to attend the Jerusalem Film Festival in response to “concern over the Nakba Day violence,” as indicated by the festival’s foreign office. Indeed, Israel’s brutally violent suppression of peaceful Palestinian youth demonstrations and its shoot-to-kill policy during the Nakba Day protests, in particular, should convince any person of conscience not to lend his or her good name to institutions that divert attention away from Israeli state brutality and human rights violations.

With this decision, you have truly exemplified the commitment to equality for which you were recently honored with the Lincoln Medal. The award is shared by the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an outspoken critic of Israel for “practising apartheid in its policies towards the Palestinians” and a strong supporter of the Palestinian-led movement for boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) on Israel until it complies with international law and ends its system of occupation and racial discrimination. In Tutu’s words:

“I have witnessed the humiliation of Palestinian men, women, and children made to wait hours at Israeli military checkpoints routinely when trying to make the most basic of trips to visit relatives or attend school or college, and this humiliation is familiar to me and the many black South Africans who were corralled and regularly insulted by the security forces of the Apartheid government.”

We urge you to hold fast to this decision as an act of moral imperative. Visiting Israel in coordination with the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the Israeli Consulate of New York lends an air of legitimacy to Israel’s denial of Palestinian fundamental human rights in a myriad of ways:

Palestinians in the West Bank live under a brutal, 44-year-old military occupation characterized by segregated roads and legal systems, daily violence, and humiliation. Thousands of Palestinian human rights activists, including leaders of the nonviolent popular struggle, have been imprisoned, many without charge or trial. Israel’s illegal settlements and Wall confiscate Palestinian land and separate Palestinian farmers, workers, and families from their schools, jobs, hospitals, and livelihoods, dividing the West Bank into Bantustans.

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip live under an Israeli blockade that “deliberately impoverishes … and condemns hundreds of thousands of potentially productive people to a life of destitution,” according to Chris Gunness, spokesperson for UN Relief and Works Agency. Contrary to international law, Israel has systematically employed white phosphorous and U.S. weapons against civilian men, women, and children in Gaza, killing thousands and destroying basic infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and water sources.

As non-Jewish citizens, Palestinians inside Israel live under an apartheid system that denies them equal rights to their Jewish counterparts. Israel’s apartheid laws restrict land ownership, housing, employment, and marriage, in many ways resembling Jim Crow.

Millions of Palestinians live in exile since their families were forcibly and systematically uprooted in 1948 during Israel’s creation. Israel has denied these refugees their internationally-recognized right to return to their homes and lands, simply because they are not Jewish.

In an effort to salvage its worsening reputation, Israel has embarked upon an effort to re-brand itself as a beacon of cultural and technological progress, diverting attention away from its war crimes and apartheid policies. Israel uses its cultural institutions, such as the Jerusalem Film Festival, to whitewash its violations of international law and human rights. Your film, “On the Shoulders of Giants,” documents the policies of segregation and racism that characterized the world of basketball in the 1930s. Ironically, the majority of Muslim and Christian Palestinians could not even have attended such a screening because they are excluded from entering Jerusalem on the basis of their ethnicity and religion.

In cancelling your appearance in Israel, you join a growing number of people of conscience refusing to conduct “business as usual” with Apartheid Israel. World-renowned artists, film-makers, writers, and activists Arundhati Roy, Ken Loach, Jean Luc Godard, Naomi Klein, Sting, Bono, Pete Seeger, Roger Waters, Snoop Dogg, Elvis Costello, Carlos Santana, Mike Leigh, The Yes men, and the late Gil Scott-Heron have supported the Palestinian civil society BDS call or cancelled appearances in Israel following appeals from fans and BDS advocates. BDS is supported by anti-racism advocates from Alice Walker to Dr. Cornel West—who is himself featured in your film. Meg Ryan and Dustin Hoffman decided not to attend the Jerusalem Film Festival last year, following the deadly attacks on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla that killed nine humanitarian aid carriers including one U.S. citizen.

On your website, you write: “Justice should be blind especially color-blind and able to fairly deal with the very real need for honest law enforcement.” You have also said we have to “start letting history teach us.” History has shown that when the world allows an apartheid state to violate laws and racially discriminate with impunity, there comes a time for people of conscience to take a stand and refuse to legitimize an unjust system.

Although you have indicated a desire to “stay out of this argument,” it is instructive to recall Tutu’s words once again: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

We kindly ask you to give your consideration to the Palestinian-led BDS campaign, as it is only through such courageous acts that this campaign to pressure Israel to end its injustices can grow and succeed. We would be very happy to meet with you to offer further information or answer any questions you have.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, we thank you for standing on the right side of history.

With respect and solidarity,

Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel

Follow this link to sign the letter and join these signatories!