- تصنيف المقال : شؤون عربية ودولية
- تاريخ المقال : 2014-09-06
Speeches from the National Demonstration for Freedom and Justice in Palestine
On Saturday 9th August 2014, over 10,000 people march from the Spire in Dublin to the Israeli Embassy in an incredible show of opposition to the Israeli attacks on Gaza and in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Their message was simple, “it’s time for freedom and justice for Palestine”. When the huge crowd reached its destination, they were address by several speakers. The videos of most of these speeches are below.
Irish Artists’ Pledge to Boycott Israel reaches 500 signatures
The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s “Irish Artists’ Pledge to Boycott Israel”, described by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) as “a ground-breaking initiative”, has just notched up its 500th signatory. This is a significant milestone for such a small country, and includes creative and performing artists residing all over the island of Ireland.
The Pledge was publicly launched in August 2010, when it had 140 signatories. It reads as follows:
“In response to the call from Palestinian civil society for a cultural boycott of Israel, we pledge not to avail of any invitation to perform or exhibit in Israel, nor to accept any funding from any institution linked to the government of Israel, until such time as Israel complies with international law and universal principles of human rights.”
The 500 signatories range from some of Ireland’s most internationally known figures to artists starting out on their careers, who know that they risk defamation and ostracism by Israel’s advocates, particularly in the USA . They include novelists, poets, painters, sculptors, film-makers, dancers, composers, performing musicians and others, including many members of Ireland’s state-sponsored academy of artists Aosdána.
This was the first national cultural boycott against Israel, and was followed shortly by a similar initiatives in Switzerland and South Africa. It is hoped that other countries will follow the same template in the near future.
Raymond Deane, cultural liaison officer of the IPSC, said: “Sadly, this pledge remains as necessary as when it was launched four years ago. Israel’s latest murderous assault on Gaza, that has killed over 2,100 people, mostly non-combatants, proves that it is not interested in peace. Western governments’ failure to sanction Israel proves that they are not interested in justice, so it remains incumbent upon civil society to take action. This pledge allows people from the artistic community to take a stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Indeed almost half of the signatories have added their names since Israel launched “Operation Protective Edge”, thus proving that the Irish government’s appeasement of Israel is deeply at odds with all levels of Irish public opinion.”
Mr Deane also pointed out that “these artists are aware of the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s 2005 statement that ‘we see culture as a propaganda tool of the first rank, and… do not differentiate between propaganda and culture.’ By signing this pledge, artists are refusing to allow their art to be exploited by an apartheid state that disregards international law and universal principles of human rights. They look forward to the day when normal cultural relations can be established with an Israel that fully complies with such laws and principles.”
Mr Deane concluded by calling on more Irish artists to sign the pledge, saying “if you are an Irish artist or an artist based in Ireland and would like to add your signature, please see www.ipsc.ie/pledge”
Boycott Israeli Goods
Individual consumers can show their opposition to Israel’s Apartheid policies against the Palestinian people and violations of international law by participating in a consumer boycott of Israeli goods and services. A boycott can also put pressure on companies whose exports are linked to some of the most evident aspects of the Israeli occupation and apartheid.
Take Action: We are asking supporters and those concerned about Palestinian rights to write to supermarkets and ask them to stop stocking Israeli goods.
The Israeli barcode starts with the numbers 729. However, it doesn’t necessarily appear on all Israeli products so be sure to always check the label for country of origin.
Supermarket products
Jaffa oranges were famous for centuries before Israelis successfully colonised the Palestinian name along with the city of Yafa. The Israeli agricultural companies Mehadrin (Jaffa) and Carmel-Agrexco export fruit and vegetables for sale to Europe. Much of this produce is grown on confiscated Palestinian land in the Jordan Valley. Apart from oranges, other examples of fruit exported by these, and other, companies are grapefruits, peppers, avocados, grapes, figs, and passion and sharon fruits.
Dates from Israel come in many brands and are particularity popular during the holy month of Ramadan.Israeli new potatoes are all too often seen in the spring before Irish potatoes are available. Carrots are also exported from Israel.
Tivall is an Israeli company that produces vegetarian foods.
Herbs, such as basil, dill, tarragon, parsley, sage, rosemary, mint, chives and others are commonly sold.
These goods are widely available in big chainstores such as Dunnes Stores, Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Supervalu, Superquinn, Aldi and Lidl.
Hardware and homeware productsMost Stanley/Black&Decker Toolboxes and plastic organisers are made in Israel. Plastic saw horses are also often available.
Keter exports a wide range of large plastic products from Israel. These include shelf storage bins, garden sheds, outdoor storage boxes, dog kennels and composting bins.
These plastics can be found in Woodies, Chadwicks, Heitons, Davies and Cork builders providers (all part of the Grafton Group), Homebase, (part of the Home Retail Group), Argos, B&Q and many other hardware, builders’ providers and tool shops.
Sodastream, appliance for home-making carbonated drinks is a product manufatcured in the illegal Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim in occupied Palestine. These products can be found in Dunnes Stores, Harvey Norman, Argos, Cleary’s, Brown Thomas, DID Electrical and others.
Lees Carpets are made by the Israeli company Carmel Carpets in the illegal industrial settlement zone of Barkan in the West Bank.
Beauty ProductsDead Sea beauty products come in many brands including, Ahava, Dead Sea Magik, GADI21, -417, VivO, Nevo and Sea Spa Skincare. YesTo, formerly an Israel-based company which has since ‘relocated’ to the US, uses Dead Sea minerals in many of its products. They can be found in Holland & Barrett, Nourish and pharmacies. In addition they are often marketed by Israelis at large shopping centres including; Dundrum, Jervis Street, Liffey Valley and others.
Any theft by the Israeli state or companies of natural resources from the Palestinian section of the Dead Sea constitutes War Pillage under the terms of the Geneva Convention. Ahava is one company that is guilty of this, being based in the illegal settlement of Mitzpe Shalem on the Dead Sea.
MoroccanOil is an Israeli company that manufactures argan oil-based hair care products, which can be found in Peter Marks and other hair salons.
Childrens’ ToysThe Israeli brand AMAV is distributed in Europe by George Prentice Associates (GPA), Kildare. They market a range of “activities” type craft boxes (plastic!) and Art Easels for children These are available at major toy retailers, Hamley’s, Smiths and Art & Hobby.
Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Second Floor, 18 Capel Street, Dublin 1, Ireland. 01-8727798
Second Floor, 18 Capel Street, Dublin 1, Ireland. 01-8727798
