The Observer Sunday 22 November 2009

Photo: Focus Zero Mosque in Gaza Strip sky.

In his books, Joe Sacco always draws himself the same way: neat and compact, a small bag slung across his body, a notebook invariably in his hand. At a single glance, the reader understands that he is both reporter and innocent abroad, an unlikely combination that propels him not only to ask difficult questions, but to go on asking them long after all the other hacks have given up and gone home. You sense in this black-and-white outline, too, a certain taut, physical alertness. Should there be trouble, he is, it seems, ready to run.

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rabble.ca by Murray Dobbin | November 2009

Photo: Sabrien Amrov Solidarity demonstration with Palestine in downtown Montreal.

Ever since the Israeli invasion of the Gaza strip last December the global debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has intensified with both sides upping the ante, and the stakes of the framing battle increasing almost daily.

One of the most recent — but almost totally unreported — developments in Canada is something called the Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Antisemitism (CPCCA). It is not an official parliamentary body but is a multi-party, voluntary association of 13 MPs. It is currently holding an inquiry into anti-semitism because, it says, “The extent and severity of anti-semitism is widely regarded as at its worst level since the end of the Second World War.”

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a year-end solidarity gathering | musical performances celebrating Sheikh Imam

SATURDAY DECEMBER 12th 20h
entrance: $5-10
Kaza Maza, 4629 Avenue du Parc
north from Mont-Royal street
Montréal Québec

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Announcing a Quebec and Canada-wide BDS conference

UQAM, Montreal, Quebec 22-24th October 2010

Since 2005’s historic Palestinian call for a comprehensive, international movement for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israeli apartheid, we have seen many important victories for this movement in both Québec and Canada. Now is the time to reflect on the successes of the BDS movement in Quebec and Canada to date and to consolidate and intensify our efforts in solidarity with the people of Palestine, who continue to suffer under the brutal system of Israeli apartheid.

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by Abbas Al Lawati, Gulf News November 2009

Photo: Piax. Dubai skyline from airplane.

Dubai: A pressure campaign targeted at Gulf states was launched in Occupied Jerusalem on Monday by a coalition of 170 Palestinian organisations urging Arab states to boycott companies complicit in Israel’s expansion in the holy city.

In a rare public pressure campaign, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement in Palestine, a grouping of Palestinian civil society organisations, has turned its focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which is preparing to build a multi-billion dollar railway to link its six members.

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Marryam Haleem, Gaza Strip, Electronic Intifada November 2009

Photo: Rusty Stewart Palestinian children crossing road to school by Israeli tank

“That was the happiest day of my life,” Ahmad explained, “I was freed that day.”

“Come on,” I laughed as we walked down the dusty Gaza street, the Mediterranean sun beating down hard on our faces. “It couldn’t have been that bad. I mean, we all dislike school to some degree, but it has its nice things too.”

His grave eyes looked wholly unconvinced. “The day I graduated from university was the best day of my life,” he firmly repeated. And then he added, more to himself than to me, “I wish I could erase all my memories of my time in school.”

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Press Release – 25 November 2009

Photo: Palestinian flag at a solidarity demonstration in London.

In reaction to reports alleging that a Palestinian trade union official has stated his reservations about the Palestinian civil society campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), the full spectrum of the Palestinian trade union movement has expressed solid support for the BDS National Committee (BNC)* and for the global BDS campaign against Israel as an effective form of resisting its military occupation, war crimes and apartheid policies.

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Ctrl.Alt.Shift interview by Jody McIntyre 16/11/09

Photo: Valerian Mazataud Palestinians continue to protest in Bil’in against all odds.

Earlier this year, Khamis Fathe Abu Rahmah, aged 27, was shot in the head with a high-velocity tear gas canister whilst participating in a non-violent demonstration at the wall in Bil’in, a Palestinian village. It was the same weapon the Israeli Occupation Forces would use to murder his close friend Bassem Abu Rahme, in the same village, just a few months later. Jody McIntyre spoke to Khamis to hear about his experiences…

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A lecture by Huwaida Araff and Adam Shapiro.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009
19h30 – 22h
Concordia University
Pavillon Hall Building
Room/Local H-767
1455 De Maisonneuve O
Montreal, Quebec

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An interview with author Ben White by Stefan Christoff.

Photo: ActiveStills Palestinian held at Israeli military check-point during Ramadan.

Public discourse towards the Palestine-Israel conflict has shifted. More and more, we hear the word “apartheid” associated with discussions concerning Israeli policy towards the Palestinian people. Such an analysis of apartheid makes connections between the contemporary conflict in the Middle East and the apartheid era in South Africa. It is, in part, this political tie that has mobilized grassroots networks globally in solidarity with Palestine.

U.K.-based author Ben White, author of Israeli Apartheid: A Beginner’s Guide, has just topped off a cross-country tour of major Canadian universities where he has lectured on Israeli Apartheid.

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