2009 Archive
AIC Releases Report on Complicity of Israeli Academic Institutions
The Alternative Information Centre (AIC) has released a groundbreaking report on the role of Israeli academic institutions in supporting and maintaining Israeli Apartheid. The report aims to inform and empower the debate on an academic boycott by giving information not on Israeli violence and violations of international law and human rights, but on the part played in the Israeli occupation by the very academic institutions in question. The report demonstrates that Israeli academic institutions have not opted to take a neutral, apolitical position toward the Israeli occupation but to fully support the Israeli security forces and policies toward the Palestinians, despite the serious suspicions of crimes and atrocities hovering over them.(Download the Full Report).
Toronto Joins the First Global BDS Marathon – THIS FRIDAY, October 16th
Israeli arrests of Palestinian human rights activists aim at stopping grassroots activism and the global call for Israeli accountability in front of international courts and through boycott, divestment and sanction (BDS) campaigns. Stop the Wall has therefore called on people all over the world to join the Global BDS Marathon on October 16 and 17 to let Israel know: “If you want to arrest the BDS movement, you have to catch us all!”
Toronto’s Actions for the BDS Marathon
Friday October 16, 2009
5-6pm: Demonstration outside the Israeli consulate, 180 Bloor St. W. Bring flags and signs "If you want to arrest the BDS movement, you have to catch us all!"
7-9pm: Join us for the opening session of “Israel / Palestine: Freedom of Speech, Freedom to Teach”. A special presentation will be made about Mohammad Othman and other Palestinian political prisoners. For more information, visit: http://www.caiaweb.org/node/1415. Organizers are asking for a donation of $5-$15 (sliding scale). To register for the two-day conference freedomtoteach.registration@yahoo.ca
(more info).
Free Mohammad Othman, Palestinian prisoner of conscience
On September 22, Mohammad Othman was arrested by soldiers on the Allenby Bridge Crossing, at the Jordan-Palestine border. He is being held in administrative detention as a prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for his human rights advocacy work. The charges against him have not been made clear - his detention has now been extended twice - once by 10 days and as of October 8th, by 12 more. He is being held in solitary confinement at Kishon detention centre. (more info).
A Celebration of Solidarity: Filmmakers respond to TIFF
On September 2, 2009, a group of Canadian and international cultural producers in the film, culture and media arts communities issued a statement called the Toronto Declaration.
In opposition to the Toronto International Film Festival's celebratory spotlight on Tel Aviv this year, artists from around the world sent a strong message that occupation anywhere will never be celebrated.
Come out this Monday, September 14th at 7:00 p.m. to see some of the names behind the Toronto Declaration, with messages of solidarity and responses to their critics.
(more info).
Protest Toronto International Film Festival City-to-City Spotlight on Tel Aviv!
CAIA is encouraging our allies and supporters to write to the Toronto International Film Festival protesting its decision to Spotlight Tel Aviv for its inaugural City-to-City program. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) issued a statement urging all filmmakers and audiences to boycott this Spotlight on Tel Aviv. For the full PACBI statement please see:
PACBI Statement. (more info).
Labour for Palestine: Second Issue of Jafa Now Available!
Labour for Palestine is pleased to announce the second issue of Jafa -
Labour Bulletin in Solidarity with Palestine.
This second issue has a special focus on Israel's war on Gaza. We reprint a range of solidarity resolutions that were passed by unions around the world, analysis of the aftermath, and discussion around next steps for labour solidarity. We also launch a new section, *Histadrut Watch*, which will monitor the activities of Israel's racist trade union federation.
We encourage you to order a bundle for your workplace and trade union office or to download the first two issues at http://www.caiaweb.org/labourcommittee
We would also love to receive your opinions, stories and contributions for the next issue!
For more information or to order a bundle of Jafa, please contact labour@caiaweb.org
Call Your MPP: Queen’s Park Motion Against Israeli Apartheid Week
In yet another desperate move to curtail freedom of expression, on May 11, Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman filed a motion in the Ontario legislature condemning the use of the term “Israeli Apartheid Week”.
A vote for this resolution is a vote against freedom of expression. In a supposedly ‘free society’ people have a right to factually argue about whether Israel is an Apartheid state or not. People also have a right to organize Israeli Apartheid Week and other events that are critical of Israel or any other nation-state. The job of MPPs is not to ban events and terms simply because they disagree with them.
Supporters of Israel have many opportunities to engage in debates about the use of the term Israeli Apartheid. Attempting to suppress discussion of the issue through motions such as the one before the house clearly illustrates that they are all too aware of the weakness of their position and are very afraid of this debate.
* Call or Email YOUR MPP TODAY – ASK THEM TO VOTE AGAINST THIS MOTION * (more info).
Launch of Freedom of Expression Campaign April 15
Wednesday, April 15
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The Bahen Centre, Room 1160
40 St. George Street (north of College Street)
University of Toronto
BANNED FROM CANADA ... George Galloway's Canadian speaking tour on "Resisting war from Gaza to Kandahar"!
CUT ... funding for settlement programs and language services at Canadian Arab Federation!
REMOVED ... Israeli Apartheid Week posters at Ontario universities!
ATTACKED ... union leaders and members for supporting research and education on boycott of academic institutions!
TARGETED ... students and faculty doing public education on campuses!
THREATENED ... discussion of Israel/Palestine at Toronto District School Board!
Download the flyer in PDF format. (more info).
Defend free speech. Let George Galloway into Canada. Stop Jason Kenney's attacks on civil liberties.
On March 19, Canada’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney banned British MP George Galloway from entering Canada. Galloway is scheduled to speak in four cities during a pan-Canadian speaking tour from March 30 to April 2.
Kenney’s decision to ban Galloway is an unprecedented attack on free speech and on the right to criticize our government’s foreign policy. Kenney’s office has publicly stated that Galloway will be banned because of his views on the war in Afghanistan and because he represents a “threat to national security”.
The ban on Galloway follows Kenney’s recent attacks on Canadian Arab and Muslim organizations and on Palestine solidarity campaigners for their criticism of Israel’s war on Gaza and its treatment of Palestinians. On March 18, Kenney unilaterally cut funding to the Canadian Arab Federation for its immigrant settlement program. Kenney also recently attacked students organizing Israeli Apartheid Week on campuses across Canada. (more info).
Israeli Apartheid Week 2009 is a series of lectures and film screenings on various campuses and communities (now 40 cities) across the world whose intent is to educate people about the nature of Israel as an apartheid system. In its fifth year, Toronto's Israeli Apartheid Week has seen an alarming increase in harassment, intimidation and physical violence against its organizers and guests. While people who seem to be affiliated with the Jewish Defense League (JDL) are the primary organizers of the attacks, unfortunately, the student groups Hasbara and Hillel have also joined in, using cameras, physical proximity, and threatening language to intimidate activists, especially women students, calling them "terrorists" and repeating the accusations of "incitement" and "hate speech". When these incidents of harassment and intimidation are reported to campus police, the police have taken no action.
(more info).
5th Annual Israeli Apartheid Week, March 1-8th
The 5th Annual Israeli Apartheid Week will take place across the globe from March 1-8, 2009! Despite on-going attempts by university administrations to silence and repress Palestine solidarity activism on campuses, Israeli Apartheid Week 2009 promises to be more successful than ever. Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is taking place in more than 40 cities across the globe (the number of cities is growing daily). This year, IAW happens in the wake of Israel's brutal military assault on the people of Gaza. In Toronto, the birthplace of IAW, a full week of lectures, films, and actions will make the point that these latest massacres further confirm the true nature of Israeli Apartheid. The theme for IAW 2009 in Toronto is "Standing United with the People of Gaza", events will take place at the University of Toronto, Ryerson University and York University (more info).
Urgent: Students Against Israeli Apartheid (York) Suspended and Fined
On 24 February, Students Against Israeli Apartheid at York University (SAIA York) received notice of a 30-day suspension, a $1000 fine and an individual fine of $250 for the student signatory for the group. In explaining these measures, York University administration cites a demonstration organized in solidarity with students in Gaza, stating that “your club actively participated in a rally in Vari Hall on February 12, using various sound amplification devices and other noise making instruments.” (more info).
CUPE Passes BDS Resolutions - Needs Your Support
The Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA) congratulates CUPE-Ontario’s University Workers Coordinating Committee (OUWCC) conference in Windsor for passing a historic resolution in support of the Palestinian civil society call for an academic institutional boycott of Israel. The resolution calls for education and research into institutional links between Israeli and Canadian Universities that serve to perpetuate apartheid. An additional emergency resolution was adopted by the OUWCC to protest the violation of free speech and forms of bureaucratic repression that are increasingly targeting Palestine-solidarity organizations and student advocates at several University campuses in Ontario (more info).
Escalating Campus Repression Against Palestine Activists
As the annual Israeli Apartheid Week approaches we are seeing a shocking increase in attempts by pro-Israel administrations, who are working closely with pro-Israel organizations, to ban IAW activities, place bureaucratic obstacles in front of organizers, and prevent honest debate on Israeli Apartheid.
These attempts confirm that supporters of Israeli Apartheid refuse to openly defend the issues at stake, and instead attempt to shut-down free speech and anti-apartheid organizing on campuses. These are the desperate actions of a small minority who continue to support racism and apartheid (more info). Supporters are also urged to write to CUPE-Ontario in support of their brave stance in favor of academic freedom (click here).
The Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA) in Canada commends the members of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) in Durban for making history by being the first group of workers to refuse to offload a ship coming from Israel and carrying Israeli goods. This act is not surprising. Today, South Africa is leading the world in the struggle against Israeli apartheid, and giving a clear message, that unless Israel ends the apartheid system it imposes on the Palestinian people, it will be boycotted by the rest of the world (more info).
Israel attacked Gaza in late December 2008, killing over 1300 people, injuring over 5,000, and destroying Gaza's buildings, schools, hospitals, water and electricity infrastructure over a month-long bombardment and invasion. Now the troops have withdrawn, the people of Gaza are left to try to cope with a continued blockade in their destroyed cities and villages. We have collected some resources for trying to understand the crisis. Please visit our Gaza resource page.
PICKET OFFICE OF MP PETER KENT THIS SATURDAY (JANUARY 17)
Shame on Stephen Harper! Stand up for human rights. Stop Israel ’s war now. End the siege of Gaza. Picket the constituency office of Conservative MP Peter Kent. On January 12, 2009, the United Nations Human Rights Council voted to condemn the “massive violations of human rights” by Israel in Gaza. Thirty-three countries voted in favour of the resolution. Shamefully, Canada was the only country to vote against. Since then, the death toll in Gaza has passed 1,000. Please join us for a picket at the constituency office of Conservative MP Peter Kent to tell Stephen Harper that the vast majority of Canadians support human rights, and want the war to end. Canada must stand for human rights, and not defend war crimes (more info).
DEMONSTRATE AGAINST THE ISRAELI ASSAULT ON GAZA! LIFT THE SIEGE!
WHEN: 11am Saturday January 10, 2009 * WHERE: Israeli Consulate, 180 Bloor St West, Toronto * As the Israeli ground, air and sea assault continues on the civilian population of Gaza – we need to continue mobilizing against these war crimes. At least 801 Palestinians have been killed and thousands injured in the single largest massacre in Gaza. These latest war crimes occur with official Canadian complicity with Israel's illegal siege, bombardment and starvation of the civilian population in Gaza. Last Saturday, over 10,000 people rallied in Toronto in the largest Palestine solidarity demonstration in decades. This coming Saturday, millions of people across the globe will return to the streets in internationally coordinated demonstrations against the Israeli onslaught. Join us this Saturday to demand that the Canadian government call for an immediate halt to Israel's attacks and an end to the siege of Gaza! CONTACT: Palestine House, info@palestinehouse.com (leaflet / press).
Saturday, January 10 * 1:00-5:30 pm * United Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil Street (1 block south of College, 2 blocks east of Spadina) - 1:00-2:30 Workshops: The Crisis in Gaza - History and Context / Israel, Gaza and the War on Terror / Gaza, Israeli Apartheid and the Political Economy of the Middle East / Canada’s Complicity, Zionism and Islamophobia / Media Mythology: “Rebranding” Israel, and Covering the War || 3:00-4:00 Gaza: the Humanitarian Crisis || 4:15-5:30 Building Solidarity: Next Steps || Register Now: E-mail your name, with subject “Free Gaza Teach-in”, to: faculty@caiaweb.org (Pay what you can at the door - $5-50 suggested). Followed by Free Gaza Fundraiser, with DJ No Capitalista, Venue: TBA 8:00 pm || Organized by Palestine House, Canadian Arab Federation and the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid || Info: www.palestinehouse.com (more info).
Jewish Women Occupy Israeli Consulate in Toronto
Toronto, ON (January 7, 2009) - A group of 8 Jewish–Canadian women successfully occupied the Israeli Consulate in Toronto today. They were arrested, held in a police wagon for about an hour and then released with no charges. Despite some physical violence on the part of the Israeli Consulate security staff, the protesters left uninjured. At least 50 supporters rallied outside the consulate in a show of solidarity. The action was in protest against the on-going Israeli assault on the people of Gaza (more info).
10,000 People Rally in Toronto to Demonstrate Against the Israeli Assault on Gaza
At least 10,000 people gathered at Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square to protest against Israel’s recent assault on Gaza. Protesters then marched through the streets of Toronto to the Israeli Consulate and the United States Embassy. Demonstrators called on the Canadian government to condemn Israel’s latest aggression and to cut all political, economic and military ties with Israel until it complies with international law. Protests were also held across Canada in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver. Demonstrations are scheduled in Montreal on Sunday (more info).
DEMONSTRATE AGAINST THE ISRAELI ASSAULT ON GAZA!
* WHEN: 2pm on Saturday January 3rd, 2009 * WHERE: Yonge-Dundas Square (buses leave Palestine House 1:15pm sharp) * Join in demonstrating against the latest Israeli assault on the people of Gaza. At least 400 Palestinians have been killed and at least 1600 have been injured in the on-going assault on the Gaza Strip that began on Saturday. This is the single largest massacre in Gaza since Israel illegally occupied the area in 1967. The numbers of dead are mounting, especially as the already limited medical supplies are running out due to the brutal siege of Gaza since 2005 (more info / information leaflet).