press release IWW 12/2/2010.

Photo Palestinian running along Israeli apartheid wall.

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW or Wobblies) has officially voted to support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement in support of Palestinian rights. The “Resolution in Support of the Workers of Palestine/Israel” was adopted in an overwhelming vote both at the IWW’s convention in Minneapolis and by the membership via referendum. This vote makes the IWW the first union in the US and the third union in Canada to officially support the Palestinian United Call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions.

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South Africa Artists Against Apartheid opening declaration

Photo Andrew Jackson South African musician.

As South African Artists and Cultural Workers who have lived under, survived, and in many cases resisted apartheid, we acknowledge the value of international solidarity in our own struggle. It is in this context that we respond to the call by Palestinians, and their Israeli allies, for such solidarity.

As artists of conscience we say no to apartheid – anywhere. We respond to the call for international solidarity and undertake not to avail any invitation to perform or exhibit in Israel. Nor will we accept funding from institutions linked to the government of Israel. This is our position until such time as Israel, in the least, complies with international law and universal principles of human rights. Until then, we too unite with international colleagues under the banner of “Artists Against Apartheid.”

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Biennial conference sees unanimous approval for BDS motion via Technical Engineering and Electrical Union – TEEU in Ireland.

Photo Palestinian flag flies on Mount Errigal in Ireland.

At its biennial conference last weekend, the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) unanimously voted to “support for a boycott campaign of Israeli goods and services and a policy of disinvestment from Israeli companies” as a result of the Israeli state’s continuing breaches of international law and human rights abuses against the people of Palestinian. The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) welcomed the passing of the motion [1].

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Jon Booth, McGill Daily Nov. 18 2010.

Photo: Drawing comparisons to South African apartheid policies, the Israeli military forces Palestinians to carry identification documents that restrict their movement.

The word apartheid is one of the most controversial parts of the Palestinian solidarity movement. Opponents of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) campaign claim that the word apartheid is a slur used solely to delegitimize Israel. We in Tadamon!, however, believe this term is an accurate legal description of the Israeli state, and do not shrink from using an accurate term because it is controversial.

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by Sami Kishawi Sixteen Minutes to Palestine Nov. 19 2010

Photo: Israeli occupation soldiers in the Palestinian city of Bethlehem.

Today marks another win for the global boycott, divestment, sanctions (BDS) movement against corporations that profit from severe human rights violations. Chicago’s very own DePaul University just announced that their dining services will be discontinuing the sale of hummus manufactured by Sabra, an Israeli brand known for its vocal and material support of Israeli Defense Forces. The administration has temporarily suspended the sale of Sabra products and will likely move towards permanently banning the brand from campus.

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guardian.co.uk by Kieron Monks Friday 19 November 2010

Photo Israeli apartheid wall near occupied Jerusalem.

“Peace Starts Here” is the slogan adopted by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to promote its work in the Palestinian territories. But why does peace “start here”? Why not 60 years ago when UNRWA began its work with Palestinian refugees? Or 60 years in the future, when we will still be debating the same problems if the aid models do not change.

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Gisha November 2010 via Mondoweiss

Photo Palestinian in Gaza Strip holds stones.

The eve of Eid al-Adha celebrated this week brought news of a shortage of flour in the Gaza Strip. For the past two weeks, traders and flour mill owners have warned of shortages of wheat in the Strip, claiming that the mills have been providing about half of their production capacity. The mathematical formulas, which the army used to determine the level to which they would allow the stock of flour in Gaza to be reduced, are no longer in effect. So why is there a shortage?

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by Simona Sikimic & Wassim Mroueh Daily Star Tuesday, November 16, 2010.

Photo Beirut skyline view from civil war destroyed building.

People across the country prepared for three days of relative calm as they planned to gather with family and friends Tuesday to celebrate Eid al-Adha.

The break is viewed by many as much-needed reprieve from the heated political rhetoric that has raged over the impending indictment from the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) and engulfed Lebanon in a spiral of mistrustful bickering, threatening to reignite sectarian strife.

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Report Defence for Children International – DCI Palestine October 2010 download PDF

Photo Israeli occupation forces patrol the Old City of Hebron, in occupied Palestine.

In October, DCI-Palestine collected information relating to the arrest of 17 children from the Silwan neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem, although lawyers and fieldworkers for DCI-Palestine estimate that the overall number of children arrested in the Silwan neighbourhood in October is considerably higher.

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photos from Artists Against Apartheid feat. Obsesión @ BDS Quebec conference.

Photo Mickey Boston Cuban hip-hop group Obsesión at Artists Anti Apartheid.

Photographer and artist Mickey Boston captured a couple striking portraits of celebrated Cuban hip-hop group Obsesión performing at Artists Against Apartheid during the Quebec/Canada-wide BDS conference in Montreal on October 23 2010. Obsesión performed along side members of Montreal hip-hop group Nomadic Massive, also taking the stage during the concert was Detroit based hip-hop artist Invincible and celebrated Montreal MC The Narcicyst, who performed to a packed house with hundreds gathering for the rising Artists Against Apartheid concert series.

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