Videos, Announcements, & Letters, April 29, 2010

May God protect him !!

No criminals like the truth.

Raja Chemayel

Film: “Targeted Citizen” (15 minutes) -Must See

http://www.gilad.co.uk/writings/film-targeted-citizen-15-minutes.html

The film “Targeted Citizen” (15 minutes), produced by filmmaker Rachel Leah Jones for Adalah, surveys discrimination against the Palestinian citizens of Israel. With the participation of experts Dr. Yousef Jabareen of the Technion and Dr. Khaled Abu Asbeh of the Van Leer Institute, as well as Adalah attorneys Sawsan Zaher, Abeer Baker and Hassan Jabareen, inequality in land and housing, employment, education and civil and political rights are eloquently addressed. These interviews are reinforced by the contrasting informality of on-the-street conversations conducted by Palestinian comic duo Shammas-Nahas and punctuated by the hard-hitting rhymes of Palestinian rap trio DAM. The film's theme song “Targeted Citizen,” written and recorded by DAM especially for Adalah, tells it like it is without missing a beat.
 
http://vimeo.com/10302596? 
 

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Hard Talk BY NAHIDA THE EXILED PALESTINIAN

http://uprootedpalestinians.blogspot.com/2010/04/hard-talk-zionists-occupiers-heed-my.html

Zionists occupiers… Heed my call

Like most people, I do believe in dialogue and civilized coexistence, like most people I long to live in dignity and freedom in my homeland, like most people I yearn for peace and justice for every human, like most people I like to foster loving and trusting relationships with all decent individuals; however, our problem with the Zionist occupiers is not about hate and distrust as they like to believe, it’s not about security as you constantly declare, nor is it about dialogue or lack of it thereof!

Our problem with you is not confined to the many aspects of your occupation, human right abuses, checkpoints, walls, collective punishment and assassinations.

The origin of our problem is as profound as a the roots of a fig tree, buried deep and covered up with piles of dishonesty and deceit, yet its fruits has the pungent taste of supremacy, arrogance, racism, dehumanization, theft, and war crimes, and no amount of fig tree leaves could conceal or beautify.

So, to unearth the core of the problem and spell the truth-out loud and clear, I am going to direct my words towards the Zionists of all shades and affiliations.
Furthermore, I am going to be to honest and blunt here; as the catastrophic situation that they have created does not stomach glossing over any longer

Zionist occupiers:

I must warn you; that what I am going to say is not going to be very pleasant, it will taste as bitter as the chilling years of your occupation, as cold as the barren roots of our uprooted olive trees, and as sour as the dry lips of dying babies at your military checkpoints.

My words will be parched, choking and hard to swallow; it will be as rigid and impervious as the cement of your apartheid wall


Nahida

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Hub Aid helps Ethiopian Jews

To: James Smith
[email protected]
 
Dear Mr. Smith:
 
How very nice that the Boston area Jewish groups can fund by the millions those Ethiopians who settle in Haifa.
 
But try to think about not many miles away from Haifa, Palestinian homes are being destroyed by Israel, little children throwing stones at the IDF are being shot on the spot, vineyards ruined, and land stolen as we speak, not to even mention the hostile settlers who ruin everything Palestinian that they can find.
 
This goes on for those who do not qualify by being Jewish to live happily on stolen land in Israel, and they are the ones who have to suffer. The occupation of Palestinians has only been more than six decades now. And the U.S. chooses to fund Israel heavily, not only with billions of dollars, but more in war equipment.
 
Paul Bradford
Carol Rae Bradford

Polanski's Ghost Writer - a film review by Gilad Atzmon

It is somewhat puzzling that director Roman Polanski, who has   managed to evade justice for more than three decades, decided to make a film chronicling a disgraced British PM in his attempt to escape the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague.
 
.....The resemblance between Adam Lang and Tony Blair is more than obvious. Adam Lang is a handsome dark-haired guy, he is athletic, he is charming, he is slick, he is a war criminal but he is also venerable, he flips easily. The film tackles the most devastating chapter in recent history, the transformation of Anglo American liberal democracy into a lethal killing machine, fueled by pathos and righteousness, a chapter British society is not yet mature enough to deal with. Once again, it is artistic, creative minds such as Harris and Polanski who are engaged with questions the Chilcot Inquiry would never dwell upon.
 
To read more and watch trailers:

http://gilad.squarespace.com/writings/polanskis-ghost-writer-a-film-review-by-gilad-atzmon.html

Tea Party Hijacked by Neocons as Ron Paul Foreign Policy is Pushed Aside
 
http://Tinyurl.com/TeaPartyHijacked
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijfEceUfLkc&feature=PlayList&p=21C719D713FBD6CF&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1
 
 
Additional via

http://AMERICA-HIJACKED.COM

PSC Activities
 
Nakba Day: 15th May 2010

Only two weeks left – lobby your parliamentary candidates now!
Gil Scott-Heron and Ahava protests this Saturday
From Nakba to the BDS movement - speaker tour 10th - 13th May
Veolia tries to spin its involvement in occupation
Breaking the siege on Gaza
News, events, analysis and more…
 
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=106&Content_ID=1278
 
Join PSC – www.palestinecampaign.org/join
 
Donate to PSC – www.palestinecampaign.org.donate
 
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) aims to raise public awareness about the occupation of Palestine and the struggle of the Palestinian people. PSC seek to bring pressure on both the British and Israeli government to bring their policies in line with international law. PSC is an independent, non-governmental and non-party political organisation with members from communities across the UK. Join PSC today!
 
 
Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Box BM PSA
London
WC1N 3XX
Tel:   020 7700 6192
Fax:  020 7609 7779
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.palestinecampaign.org

Faith groups speak with one voice against far-right ahead of General Election

With racism and hatred manifesting itself so starkly recently in the form of anti-Muslim hatred, Islamophobia and xenephobia, the Muslim Council of Britain today voiced its support for the following pledge:
 
With the approach of the General Election we are all too aware of those political forces who would seek to divide our country by promoting ideologies of racism and prejudice. We are immensely proud of the fundamentally British characteristics of equality, respect and fairness and of British societys uncompromising rejection of the demonisation of any group, whether religious, ethnic or otherwise.
 
We therefore urge every British citizen to use their vote to support any party of their choice which stands opposed to the destructive politics of hatred, to vote for freedom not fear, partnerships not prejudice, and hope not hate.
 
This pledge is pertinent now when there is a very real prospect that far-right parties emboldened by their hatred of Muslims and others   may make significant electoral gains at the General Elections.
 
The pledge unites organisations from across all of British society, including a range of faith-based and minority community bodies. It brings together people of diverse religious affiliations and political persuasions to deliver a clear message to those that seek to divide and cause conflict between people because of their religion, culture or ethnicity: we are united in our opposition to the politics of hate.
 
 
Notes:
 
1.  The Muslim Council of Britain is The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK's largest Muslim umbrella body with around 500 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.
    
2.  In addition to the MCB, the growing list of signatories are:
 
Aliph Aleph UK, Assembly of Masorti Synagogues, Board of Deputies of British Jews, British ORT, Christian Muslim Forum, Church of England, Churches Together in England, City Circle, City Hindus Network, City Sikhs Network, Coexistence Trust, Community Security Trust, Resource - The Jewish Employment Advice Centre, , Faith Matters, Federation of Poles of Great Britain, Federation of Student Islamic Societies, Federation of Synagogues, Friends, Families and Travellers, Hindu Academy Holocaust Educational Trust, Hope Not Hate, Institute of Jainology, Jain Samaj Europe, , JAMI, Jewish Action & Training Jewish Council for Racial Equality, Jewish Blind and Disabled, Jewish Care, Jewish Community Housing, Jewish Leadership Council Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade,Joseph Interfaith Foundation , Kick It Out, League of Jewish Women, Leo Baeck College Liberal Judaism, London Jewish Forum,  Maccabi, Methodist Church, Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, Movement for Reform Judaism, Muslim Council of Britain , Muslim Safety Forum, Office of Chief Rabbi, , Operation Black Vote, Sikh Human Rights Group, Sikhs in England, Spanish & Portuguese Jews' Congregation, St Ethelburgas Centre for Peace & Reconciliation, Three Faiths Forum, UJIA, Union of Jewish Students, United Synagogue, World Jewish Relief, Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe
 
3. For further information and British Muslims and the General Election, visit www.muslimvote.org.uk
 
4. Media enquiries should be addressed to the MCB Media Office on 0845 26 26 786 or 07956 353 738. Email: [email protected].
 
5. Non-media enquiries should be addressed to the MCB Office at The Muslim Council of Britain, PO Box 57330, London E1 2WJ. Tel: 0845 26 26 786 Fax: 0207 247 7079
 
6. This press release and other MCB publications and information are available on the MCB website at www.mcb.org.uk

CAIR Applauds Pentagon Decision to Drop Franklin Graham

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) applauds the Pentagon's decision to disinvite a scheduled speaker, controversial Christian evangelist Franklin Graham, who has called Islam a “very evil and wicked religion” and this morning said Muslims are “enslaved by Islam.”
 
SEE: Graham: Army Disinvites Him to Pentagon Prayer Day
http://tinyurl.com/grahandisinvited
 
CAIR had earlier (April 22, 2010) called for such a move on the part of military officials. Graham was scheduled to speak May 6 – the National Day of Prayer - at the Pentagon.
 
“We applaud this decision as a victory for common sense and good judgment,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "Promoting one's own religious beliefs is something to be defended and encouraged, but other faiths should not be attacked or misrepresented in the process."
 
In an interview today about the controversy on Fox News, Graham refused to revise his past comments that Islam is evil and claimed that Muslims are “enslaved by Islam.”
 
SEE: Fox Hosts Franklin Graham Who Attempts to Convert Muslims Away from "Evil" Islam

http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/201004220005
 
In a 2009 CNN interview, Graham stated in part: "[T]rue Islam cannot be practiced in this country. You can't beat your wife. You cannot murder your children if you think they've committed adultery or something like that, which they do practice in these other countries. . .I don't agree with the teachings of Islam and I find it to be a very violent religion."
 
SEE: Franklin Graham Repeats Attacks on Islam (Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByovBdIRV2o
 
In 2002, Graham said terrorism is part of "mainstream" Islam and claimed the Quran, Islam's revealed text, "preaches violence."
 
In 2001, Graham stood by remarks he made about Islam at the dedication of a chapel in North Carolina. At that event, he said: "We're not attacking Islam but Islam has attacked us. The God of Islam is not the same God. He's not the son of God of the Christian or Judeo-Christian faith. It's a different God, and I believe it is a very evil and wicked religion."
 
CONTACT:

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: [email protected]

9/11 truth-seekers rarely shy away from controversial issues. Yet one important detail of 9/11 has a knack for making many of us uncomfortable: the involvement of the Israeli government in the planning, execution and aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks.

You may already know that former Director of Studies at the U.S. Army War College Alan Sabrosky recently published a piece accusing the Israeli government of being the main actor behind 9/11 and concluding that the resolution of 9/11 could include a vengeful U.S. military action to wantonly destroy Israel as a country:

 http://911falseflagarchive.blogspot.com/2010/03/dr-alan-sabrosky-former-director-of_19.html.

Also, a recent documentary claims that 9/11 was mostly a Zionist job:

 http://www.911missinglinks.com/watch-movie/.

 Its producer Mike DeLaney even confronted the Anti-Defamation League with it: http://www.prothink.org/2009/11/23/full-video-prothink-and-adlfbi

This gives us an opportunity to ask the Israeli authorities to come clear about the amplitude of the responsibility of the Israeli government in the planning and the execution of 9/11.

 
The Return from Exile Project

Meeting and Discussion @ 8th Annual Al-Awda International Convention

9:00 a.m., Sunday, May 2, 2010

Embassy Suites Hotel Anaheim South
11767 Harbor Boulevard
Garden Grove, California, 92840

http://www.al-awda.org/convention8/index.html 

Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition - USA,  The Palestinian Return Centre - UK, and the Free Palestine Movement - USA welcome interested groups and individuals to a discussion and planning meeting for the Return from Exile Project. We are looking for organizers and volunteers to participate in a plan for Palestinian volunteers to be passengers on commercial flights to Lid ("Tel-Aviv") airport on a date to be decided.  The volunteers will insist on going to their homes.  There are many dimensions to this project, which include local support committees for the volunteers who will travel, media outreach, logistics, and other ways that individuals and groups can help.
 
Please join us if you are interested to help with this project.
For more information about the convention, please visit this page 
 
Become a member and save! Reduced convention rates and other discounts for members.
 
 
CONVENTION RATES - Register to reserve your place at the convention!
 
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  
Program
Speakers
Babysitting
Sponsorship
 
DON'T DELAY! RESERVE YOUR PLACE TODAY!
Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition
PO Box 131352
Carlsbad, CA 92013, USA
Tel: 760-918-9441
Fax: 760-918-9442
E-mail: [email protected]
WWW: http://al-awda.org
 
Al-Awda

, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition (PRRC) is dedicated to advocacy for the restoration in full of Palestinian human, national, legal, political and historical rights with particular emphasis on the right of Palestinians to return to their homes and lands of origin from which they have been dispossessed since 1948. PRRC is a not for profit tax-exempt educational and charitable 501(c)(3) organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States of America. Under IRS guidelines, your donations to PRRC are tax-deductible.

UNRWA's former Commissioner-General Karen AbuZayd, PLO Representative to the United States Maen Rashid Areikat, and University of Haifa Professor Asa'd Ghanem Confirmed to speak on the Palestine Panel at ADC's 30th Anniversary National Convention
 
Washington, DC | April 29, 2010 | www.adc.org |

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is proud to present a Panel on "Palestine: 17 years after Oslo, What's next?" during ADC's upcoming 30th Anniversary National Convention. This year's convention, "30 Years of Advocacy and Achievement: Strengthening the Voice for Equality and Justice" will be held from June 4 - 6, 2010 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park. 
 
The panel will discuss the state of current Palestinian Affairs 17 years after the signing of the Oslo agreement. The speakers will address the current challenges facing the Palestinian people, and the steps needed to achieve a just and lasting peace.
 
ADC has secured a special Convention hotel rate of only $139/night (single or double occupancy). Click here to reserve a hotel room at our rate or call the hotel directly at 202-328-2000 to take advantage of this special ADC Convention rate.
 
Click here to register for the Convention before April 30th at an early-bird rate of only $239 which includes access to this panel and all other Convention events including panels, receptions, featured speakers, meals, parties, art exhibits and the film festival.
 
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
 
Dr. Karen AbuZayd:

Former Commissioner- General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) - In August 2000, Dr. Karen AbuZayd became an Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, appointed to the post of Deputy Commissioner - General of UNRWA. In 2005, the UN Secretary General appointed Dr. AbuZayd to the post of Commissioner-General of UNRWA and she served in that capacity until her retirement from the UN in January 2010. During her time with UNRWA, her work concentrated on providing emergency assistance to, and generating employment for, the victims of the current crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory. From her base in Gaza, she helped to oversee the education, health, social services and microenterprise programs for 4.6 million Palestine refugees. Before joining UNRWA, Karen worked for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for 19 years.  Before joining UNHCR, Karen lectured in Political Science and Islamic Studies at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and at Juba University in southern Sudan. Dr. AbuZayd currently serves on the American Friends of UNRWA Board of Directors.
 
Mr. Maen Rashid Areikat:  

PLO Representative to the United States. Prior to his appointment to Washington, Mr. Areikat served for 11 years at the Negotiations Affairs Department (NAD) of the PLO in Ramallah, most recently as its Deputy Head and Coordinator-General (2008-2009).  Mr. Areikat first joined NAD in 1998, when it was headed by current Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), and served as its Director-General until March 2008.  In addition to overseeing NAD's day-to-day operations, Mr. Areikat was responsible for overseeing the work of the Negotiations Support Unit (NSU), which provides legal, policy, communication and technical support to Palestinian Negotiating Teams and to the Palestinian Leadership. Mr. Areikat previously took part in Palestinian-Israeli negotiations at Beit Hanoun in Gaza and Taba in Egypt in 1996, in Jerusalem in 1997 and was an official member of the Palestinian delegation to the Wye River negotiations in 1998.
 
Dr. Asa'ad Ghanem

A Palestinian political activist, a leading academic and intellectual among the Palestinians in Israel. Dr. Ghanem is a lecturer at the School of Political Science, University of Haifa. His theoretical work has explored the legal, institutional and political conditions in ethnic states. In the context of Palestinian domain, Dr. Ghanem's work has covered issues such as Palestinian political orientations, the political structure of the Palestinian National Movement, and the future of the conflict with Israel.  He has been the initiator and designer of several policy schemes and empowerment programs for Palestinians in Israel. Dr. Ghanem has authored and edited numerous articles andbooks including: Palestinian Politics after Arafat: a Failed National Movement (Indiana University Press, 2009); Ethnic Politics in Israel - The Margins and the Ashkinasi Centre (Routledge Press, 2010); Palestinians in Israel - Indigenous group politics in the Jewish state (Madar, 2008, in Arabic).
 
Register TODAY for ADC's 30th Anniversary National Convention and receive the discounted early-bird full registration package! This year's early bird rates have been reduced and you can register for the entire convention, including complete access to all events and meals, for only $239 before the deadline of April 30, 2010.
 
To register online click here 
To register by mail click here (print and mail)
To register by phone call 202-244-2990 or by email [email protected]
 
ADC has secured a special discounted hotel rate of only $139/night (single or double occupancy) at Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.  Click here to reserve today and receive the discounted rate. You can also reserve a room by calling 202-328-2000.
 
###
Contact: [email protected]
 
NOTE TO EDITORS: The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), which is non-profit, non-sectarian and non-partisan, is the largest Arab-American civil rights organization in the United States. It was founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk to protect the civil rights of people of Arab descent in the United States and to promote the cultural heritage of the Arabs. ADC has 38 chapters nationwide, including chapters in every major city in the country, and members in all 50 states.
 
The ADC Research Institute (ADC-RI), which was founded in 1981, is a Section 501(c)(3) educational organization that sponsors a wide range of programs on behalf of Arab Americans and of importance to all Americans. ADC-RI programs include research studies, seminars, conferences and publications that document and analyze the discrimination faced by Arab Americans in the workplace, schools, media, and governmental agencies and institutions. ADC-RI also celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Arabs.

Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition

Dear Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition/Atlanta Supporter,
 
We have launched our 2010 membership campaign and appreciate the response many have already given.  We urge each of you who supports GPJC/Atlanta to become a card-carrying member for only $10 for individuals or $25 for organizations.  Thanks to the contributions of our supporters, our volunteer network has become a strong voice for a U.S. foreign policy based on justice.  Please help us reach our $5,000 annual goal by June 1.  Take a look at our work in 2009 and what your contribution can help us achieve in 2010:
 
We Supported Youth Activism in 2009!
 
We know that young people are critical in building a successful peace and justice movement.  Last year we were pleased to provide more than $1,200 to support three important student projects:

o   We funded a statewide convergence in May, where students from colleges across the state planned a coordinated Truth in Recruiting Campaign;
o   We paid for van transportation for 13 students to attend a national Truth in Recruiting conference in Chicago last July; and
o   We sponsored lodging and transportation for 50 students to participate in the national School of the Americas Watch workshops and protest at Ft. Benning November 20-22.
 
In addition, we organized an October 5-8 speaking tour for Ann Wright, the former Army colonel and diplomat and now well-known peace activist; created and distributed our peace posters at the King March, as we have each year since 2003; and paid for our telephone line, website (www.GeorgiaPeace.org), and other ongoing expenses.
 
We’re Focused on Afghanistan and Military Recruitment in 2010!
 
Facing both the escalation of war in Afghanistan and the ongoing economic crisis at home, we have again approved a $5,000 budget for 2010.  We plan to support educational outreach, street and legislative action on Afghanistan; and a new Truth in Recruiting initiative, needed now more than ever, as young people facing unemployment are often enticed into the military by false promises:
o   We have purchased nine DVD copies of Rethink Afghanistan (take a look at the six excellent segments at  www.RethinkAfghanistan.com) and are committed to educational outreach in homes, faith and community venues.  (If you want to host an event, contact Susan Keith at [email protected] or 404-522-4500.)
o   We have provided funding for a student working part-time during the General Assembly session to mobilize support for House Resolution 1219 and Senate Resolution 955, which will provide Georgia public school students some protection from all-too-common abusive military recruiting.
o   We continue strengthening our organizational structure and our volunteer network. We are pleased that more volunteers have taken on essential tasks, such as maintaining our website, overseeing our finances, and serving as active Steering Committee members.
 
By working together we can shift our country’s priorities from war and empire toward social justice and human needs.  Please send in your 2010 membership now, using the form below.  Your individual membership of $10 or organizational membership of $25 will be a big help.  Larger contributions will be greatly appreciated. 
 
GPJC/Atlanta Coordinating Committee

Mike Hearington         Dianne Mathiowetz         Ann Mauney
 

                   Make checks payable to Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition/Atlanta
                             Mail to P.O. Box 133016  Atlanta, Georgia  30333.
 
                   Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition/Atlanta
   A volunteer network of community, faith, and student organizations and individuals
                                       www.GeorgiaPeace.org  404-522-4500