Open letter to EU Foreign Ministers

EU Foreign Ministers throw  a curve ball into the Iran nuke talks

[ Editors Note: This is a bit of a curve ball here, suggesting that the Zionist Lobby still have major assets under it's control to circumvent the trend away from sanctions as the nuclear talks proceed.  This is even more surprising in that the courts already ruled on cases being arbitrary and with no foundation. 

Of course Iran will be seeking to recover financial damages in those cases. But as damages would be paid by goyim, that traditionally is of no concern to your hard core Zionists.

This will certainly be a ongoing story and we will be looking to map out who the Israelis have used in this last ditch effort to keep the phony Iran nuke threat in play as it actually is a key component of their scam.

I thought this previous Gush Shalom letter below to the EU foreign ministers showed the flip side of the coin in terms of attitude. Peace groups like Gush Shalom have a total media black out here in the US, all part of the never ending psyops inflicted on the American people by you know who, and all of their helpers here...Jim W. Dean ]

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Uri Avnery – the Old Man of the Israeli peace movement

Uri Avnery and Adam Keller of Gush Shalom, the Israeli Peace Bloc, sent an open letter to the European Union Foreign Ministers due to meet tomorrow (Sept. 6).

We called upon them to persist with their outspoken opposition to settlement construction in the Occupied Territories.

Media reports indicate that settlements and the situation between Israel and the Palestinians are likely to figure on the meeting’s agenda, together with other Middle Eastern issues such as the situation in Syria and Egypt.

“We would like you to know that many in Israel consider your position against settlements to be an expression of true friendship and concern towards Israel” stated the Gush Shalom letter. “It is Israel’s existential interest to come to terms with the fact that in today’s world it is unacceptable to rule over another people by force, confiscate that people’s land and settle on it. The European Union would best help Israel’s true interests by insisting unflinchingly on this principle.”

Following is the full text of the letter

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To the Foreign Ministers and representatives of the European Union

” Something old, with something new “

We, Israeli citizens deeply concerned for the future of our country and our region, write you this letter in advance of the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, scheduled for September 6.

Specifically, we write you as members of Gush Shalom, the Israeli Peace Bloc, a grassroots peace movement which was founded in 1992.

Ever since then, our movement has been struggling to engage the political system and promote the idea of peace between Israel and its Palestinian and other Arab neighbors.

It is our firm belief that Israel’s long-term survival and prosperity depend upon our country’s ability to achieve integration in the region.

An indispensable first step would be an Israeli withdrawal from the territories occupied in 1967 and the long overdue creation of an independent Palestinian state in these territories.

In recent years we have become increasingly concerned at the upsurge of expansionist nationalism in the Israeli society and political system. Such manifestations are often given a religious justification through a tendentious and selective interpretation of the Jewish Scriptures.

Representatives of such tendencies occupy key positions in successive Israeli cabinets, including the current one. This expansionist nationalism manifests itself especially in a determination to hold on to the territories occupied by Israel’s armed forces since 1967 and a relentless drive to maintain and extend Israeli settlement in these territories.

Not only do the settlements constitute a blatant violation of International Law and a major obstacle to any chance of Israel achieving peace with its neighbors, but a big part of our country’s economic resources are annually poured into the bottomless hole of the settlement project, to the great detriment of Israeli society as a whole.

Standing up to evil and power

In this situation we are writing to you, highly cognizant of the crucial role which the International Community in general and the European Union in particular could and should play.

Specifically, we refer to the Council of Foreign Affairs resolution of 10 December 2012, in which the EU stated its commitment to “Ensure that, in line with International Law, all agreements between the State of Israel and the European Union must unequivocally and explicitly indicate their inapplicability to the territories occupied by Israel in 1967, namely the Golan Heights, the West Bank including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip”.

Further, we refer to the guidelines published by the European Commission on 19 July this year, aimed at an implementation in practice of the above resolution.

As you must be well aware, the publication of the July 19 guidelines had a far greater impact in Israel than any earlier EU statement on this issue – for the simple reason that this was the first time that the EU went beyond a verbal disapproval of the settlements.

Specifically, Israeli participation in the European Horizon 2020 Project was made conditional upon the Government of Israel stating explicitly its adherence to the above principles.

The Netanyahu Government is faced with a grave dilemma, having in effect to choose between either promoting the settlement project or gaining the very considerable benefits which Israeli science, academic life and economy could derive from participation in Horizon 2020 – as these two goals were made mutually exclusive.

As published several times in the Israeli media, the Netanyahu Government hopes to avoid this dilemma by persuading the European Union to amend or “soften” your position. Moreover, there were references to such approaches by the Government of Israel featuring on the agenda of your September 6 meeting.

Gush Shalom – on the front lines – 2001. Uri is 90 now.

We would like you to know that many in Israel consider your recent position, as it stands, to be an expression of true friendship and concern towards Israel.

It is vital for Israel, our country, to adopt the norms of behavior prevailing among Western Democracies, of which Israel aspires to be one.

It is Israel’s existential interest to come to terms with the fact that in today’s world it is unacceptable to rule over another people by force, confiscate that people’s land and settle on it. The European Union would best help Israel’s true interests by insisting unflinchingly on this principle.

We are well aware that, as well as the above issue, you are urgently concerned with the situation in other countries in our region – notably, Syria and Egypt, and that these are very likely to figure prominently on the agenda of your forthcoming meeting.

It would be wrong to assert that all the Middle East’s problems derive solely from the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. But it would be quite right to say that an end to Israeli occupation and a solution to our very long-lasting conflict could exert a positive, calming influence throughout the region.

Yours,   Uri Avnery and Adam Keller – On behalf of The Gush Shalom Movement

Editing:  Jim W. Dean

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Israel Hit with EU War Crimes Sanctions

EU sanctions keep Israel guessing

By Gordon Duff 

In a surprise last minute move, the European Union set forth a strong set of economic sanctions against Israel, leaving that nation both surprised and reeling.

The sanctions, stimulated by what the EU refers to as “Israeli intransigence” regarding peace talks with the Palestinians, cover all financial dealings, loans, awards, transfer of “instruments” and severely limiting economic cooperation between Israel and all EU member nations starting in 2014.

The sanctions are against any Israeli “economic activity,” not just within what has been referred to as the “occupied territories” but broad areas of Israel that had been designated for the establishment of an “Arab State” in 1949.

Those territories extend in an almost contiguous line from the Lebanon border to the Red Sea.

Israel has referred to these territories as “Golan Heights, Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem.”  The term “Judea” alone could refer to the entire Roman province including large regions of Lebanon and Jordan.

Thus, one might question why the European Union would include such broad territories, clearly intended to offset Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s demands for “defensible borders.”

The EU has gone much further than imagined, an act Israel sees as an “ambush.”

ISRAELI RESPONSE

Israel has responded with a number of objections citing, initially that they feel the “EU attacks us because we are small,” as cited by Gil Ronen with Arutz Sheva, Israel National News.

The sanctions, to be published Friday, July 19, 2013, will prohibit all 28 European Union member states from any economic contacts with Israeli “entities” that operate outside the 1949 Armistice lines.

These territories differ greatly from the ceasefire lines of the 1967 war and include up to 25% of the territory of Israel, according to an article in Arutz Sheva.

According to that publication, the EU has made further differentiations based on the 1967 truce lines, clearly delineating territories seized as “occupied” and requiring Israel to identify any economic activity originating from those regions for exclusion.

EU officials have commented that there has been significant pressure to modify and limit the approve sanctions prior to their upcoming publication.

SYRIA

The decision to move against Israel falls on the eve of announcements from France and then Britain to hold back materiel support for pro-Israeli factions fighting against the Syrian government.

Germany had previously announced that no aid would be forthcoming.

The United States, although announcing, in June, that arms would be supplied, has withheld promised military aid though the Syrian government has made significant advances against rebel held enclaves.

ISRAEL’S POSITION

Quoting a high ranking Israeli official:

“The attack by the EU disproportionate and is likely to have no positive effect on restarting meaningful dialog over the Palestinian question.  When it comes to disputed territories, the Europeans prefer to attack a small country like Israel instead of taking on more powerful states, because they are afraid of retaliation.

We were only informed at the last moment.”

Israel’s position was confirmed by Deputy Foreign Minister, Ze’ev Elkin.  In a statement to the press, Elkin referred to the EU directive as a “mistake” likely to undermine any progress already made.

“We are not ready to sign on this clause in our agreements with the European Union.”

Elkin also cited Israel’s failure to get in front of the issues that led to this confrontation which will, as he also stated, “halt all cooperation in economics” and be extremely harmful to Israel’s economy.

CONTRADICTORY EU POSITIONS

Speaking for the European Union, David Kriss is quoted:

“These are guidelines on the eligibility of Israeli entities and their activity in the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967 for grants, prizes and financial instruments funded by the EU from 2014 onwards.

(Sanctions)It makes (sic) a distinction between Israel and the entities in the West Bank, east Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights.”

It’s a very worrying initiative launched at a bad time, because it only reinforces the Palestinians’ refusal to restart negotiations.”

Kriss then called for Israel to cooperate fully with the sanctions, threatening Israel with defunding of joint projects already scheduled, projects that would otherwise not be impacted by sanctions.

PALESTINIAN RESPONSE

Arutz Sheva reports that Palestinian leaders will only negotiate based on pre-1967 lines and “if Israel freezes all settlement activity in Judea and Samaria.”

Thus far, the world press has been unaware of these expanded Palestinian demands that would require Israel to not only stop all settlement activities in areas referred to as “occupied” but over wider areas now settled by up to 1.8 million Israelis.

There are already over 550,000 Israelis living in the “occupied zones,” primarily eastern Jerusalem, known as Al Quds, and the West Bank.

The EU position impacts nearly one third of Israel’s population, one third of its economic base.

ALL ABOUT MONEY

The real impetus for increased pressure on Israel has been the failure of western economies and their disastrous currencies.

The real subtext for scaling back support for Israel has been seen in the strangely unreported change in America’s deficits.

During the last fiscal quarter, the United States has shown a net budget surplus for the first time in decades.  Two of the last three months have yielded surpluses in excess of $100 billion.

The message has been clear to EU leaders, as America has drawn down its role as “policeman of the world,” the real security issue, potential economic collapse, has become less of a threat.

What is unlikely to be admitted is the simple fact that the projection of military power to secure resources, when those resources are exploited by multi-national entities, offers a very poor return.

Thus, Israel’s current dilemma is much more rooted in its role as an economic liability than in any concerns regarding human rights.

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EU-funded Israeli theft

Israeli Demographic changes manifested by non-stop new settlements

 By JAMAL KANJ*

A LEAKED report commissioned by the European Union (EU) has concluded that Israeli settlement construction “remains the single biggest threat” to peace in the Middle East.

The confidential, 15-page report outlines 10 recommendations for the 27 EU states to consider regarding Israel’s wanton activities in occupied Palestine.

It describes proposals by the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – to build more “Jewish-only” colonies – as “systematic, deliberate and provocative”.

The document raises alarm about current construction efforts around East Jerusalem, new plans effectively bisecting the West Bank into two separate geographical entities and isolating the future capital of Palestine from the rest of the Palestinian population – “making it impossible” to achieve peace.

In addition to settlements, the report warns of systemic institutional racism “undermining the Palestinian presence” in East Jerusalem. It highlights two unequal systems of government: one for native Palestinians and another for Jews.

For example, city zoning changes and construction permits are issued frequently to accommodate structures dedicated for new Jews in the eastern part of the city.

Another system is imposed on taxpaying native Jerusalemites in “zoning and planning, demolitions and evacuations”.

The report highlights “discriminatory access to religious sites”, as well as an “inequitable education policy” and denial of the same “access to health care”.

The internal report calls on EU member states to voluntarily review direct or indirect assistance that might enable Israel to further colonise occupied areas, especially those which could contribute to “settlement activities, infrastructure and services” – including, but not limited to, financial transactions and foreign direct investment.

Undoubtedly, the report is more candid and progressive than previous EU-commissioned reviews discussing the occupation.

But it still falls short of adopting tangible measures that would end the Israeli “threat” to a viable Palestinian state.

One major, yet feeble, recommendation was to stop settlements getting the same “preferential tariffs” on imports as goods originating from within the green line, as well as the labelling of products from settlement industries.

Through such labelling, the EU would relegate responsibility to European consumers to make an “informed choice” when purchasing goods from Israeli settlements.

But this combined with a nominal tax somehow renders it OK for Israel to continue “laundering” profits from goods and resources stolen from Palestinian land.

Soon after the “managed” leak of the report, European leaders were in a hurry to defend the report’s weak recommendations.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague last week said the report contained “incentives and disincentives” for peace talks, while a French diplomat described it as a tool to persuade Israel.

Responding to earlier EU criticism, the mayor of the “Jewish only” colony of Maale Adumim, Benny Kashriel, told The Daily Beast that Europeans “know that we (Israeli settlers) will continue to build”.

Meanwhile, the EU report was sharply criticised by European legislator Daniel Cohn-Bendit, who said it effectively told Israel “do what you want”.

The EU can’t possibly be sincere in opposing Israeli colonies when it only taxes their theft.

Israeli companies operating within the green line will likely take advantage of the EU’s “preferential tariffs” to subsidise the extra levy imposed on products originating from settlements.

Israel’s Supreme Court ruled in January last year that Israeli companies were entitled to exploit the West Bank’s natural resources for economic gain.

The EU’s non-binding recommendations are hypocritical at best.

While it continues to provide formal “preferential treatment” for other Israeli goods, informally it wants an informed public to decide on purchases violating international trade.

The EU should instead use the report as justification for banning products and boycotting Israeli companies that invest in “Jewish only” colonies, while forbidding its licensed institutions from collaborating with organisations benefiting from Israeli settlement industry.

By leaving the EU market open for “taxed” settlement products, Europe is in effect subsidising “the single biggest threat” to peace in the Middle East.

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Jamal Kanj

* Mr Kanj (www.jamalkanj.com) writes  weekly newspaper column and publishes on several websites on Arab world issues. He is the author of “Children of Catastrophe,” Journey from a Palestinian Refugee Camp to America. A version of this article was first published by the Gulf Daily News newspaper.

 http://www.intifada-palestine.com/

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Mairead Maguire: EU does not meet Nobel vision, rewards human rights abuser Israel

PRESS RELEASE

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 2012 AWARD TO EUROPEAN UNION

FROM -  MAIREAD CORRIGAN MAGUIRE, NOBEL PEACE LAUREATE (1976)

Alfred Nobel was a visionary who believed in a demilitarized peaceful world.  In his Will he left his Nobel peace prize to those who would work for ‘fraternity among nations’,’abolition or reduction of standing armies’, and ‘holding and promotion of peace congresses’.

In Nobel’s will the award for Peace was to go to Champions of peace, those working to replace militarism with international order based on law and the abolition of national military forces.  Nobel’s vision and dream was to replace the power of militarism and war, with the power of law.   I believe the Awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union, does not meet the criteria of  Alfred Nobel vision and spirit,  and his vision of a demilitarized peaceful world.

In many ways the European Union has  done much in the past sixty years for Peace and reconciliation amongst nations, but it has sadly done little for the demilitarization of Europe.  Whilst the EU imposes  severe Austerity measures upon many EU  countries it simultaneously supports the growing militarisation of Europe by its support for US/NATO (guilty of war crimes against Iraq, Afghanistan,  etc., )   It continues to support the policies of  USA Nuclear weapons, held in six EU States.  It supports  arms sales from European States (UK, Germany, etc.,) to coutries all around the world.   The EU instead of upholding human rights for countries such as Palestine, has rewarded  Israel by giving them special trading status and huge grants (EU tax payers money) for its Military Research and weapons thus enabling it to continue it illegal policies of  occupation and Apartheid  of Palestine.  

I cannot support this decision to give the peace prize to EU  and  appeal to the Swedish Foundation Authority to hold the Nobel Committee accountable for giving, yet again, a political award  instead of supporting People taking courageous, and often dangerous stands to help move the human family away from military international Relations to one based on peaceful resolution of conflict. 

I believe that the reform of the nobel peace Committee is now necessary. As is the case of all other nobel prize committees which are made-up of experts in their particular field, perhaps it is time too for the NPP Committee to be comprised of people experienced in the field of Peacemaking and International Law.

Mairead Corrigan Maguire – Nobel peace prize (1976)

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EU foreign policy high rep: East Jerusalem is occupied

Bethlehem - Ma'an - "East Jerusalem is occupied territory," the EU’s new High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Baroness Catherine Ashton said in a statement on Friday, underscoring the increasing strength of the European position on a Palestinian Jerusalem.

Ashton was appointed in November, and took up her post on 1 December, when the Lisbon Treaty -expanding the role of the high representative for the EU - took effect. She is the first to hold the expanded office, and is responsible for coordinating a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) within the EU. Javier Solana occupied the original position.

Her statement on a Palestinian Jerusalem follows the signing of a document by the European Foreign Ministers calling for a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

"The EU is opposed to the demolition of Palestinian homes, the eviction of Palestinian families, the construction of Israeli settlements and the route of the ‘separation barrier’," she said in a statement issued by the EU.

Baroness Ashton said the latest EU decisions regarding the Middle East and east Jerusalem adopted by the European Council are "very substantive."

“It is now time to move to action and put the Council conclusions into practice. We now need to think about how we can re-engage a political process.”

Baroness Ashton said the EU was addressing the issue of east Jerusalem at political level,the statement said, but also through practical assistance aimed at supporting the Palestinian population in the city. “For example, there is a lack of 1,200 classrooms for the Palestinian children in the city, so we are helping to reinforce education facilities.

"In addition we enable Palestinian hospitals in east Jerusalem to remain viable and we do a lot of work with Palestinian young people in the city, who suffer from high rates of unemployment and psychological problems.”

The EU has implemented a number of activities in east Jerusalem to the cost of 4.6 million Euros, it was added.

The new foreign policy chief further highlighted the EU's concerns over the situation in Gaza. “Israel should re-open the crossings without delay, which would allow a revival of private sector and a reduction of Gaza's aid dependency.”

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Appeal for the removal of Hamas from the EU terror list!

First signataries

On the occasion of the June 2009 European elections, we are launching an urgent appeal to all candidates for the 736 seats in the European parliament.

We ask that they actively pursue the immediate and unconditional removal of Hamas and all other Palestinian liberation organizations from the European list of proscribed terrorist organizations.

We further ask that they acknowledge the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and, by so doing, recognise, Hamas as a legitimate voice for the Palestinian people's aspirations for national liberation.

The initiative was launched by Nadine Rosa-Rosso, a teacher and independent communist militant living in Bruxelles. It is a result of the Beirut Resistance Forum from 16-18 January 2009.

The call can be signed by sending a message tocamp@antiimperialista.org. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

First signataries

Germany
Jürgen Elsässer (journalist, Berlin, Germany), Jonas Feller (Anti-imperialist activist and high school student Rostock), Karsli Jamal (FAKT-Party, Germany), Klaus von Raussendorff, Referent für internationale Fragen beim Bundesvorstand des Deutschen Freidenker-Verbands, DeutschlandDjamila Krebs ( membre d’Europalestine Allemagne), Prof.Dr.med. Zouhair Itani, Dermatologist, Düsseldorf,Germany. Dr. med. Ahmad Haider, Urologe und Androloge, Allemagne, prof. Dr. Mohammed Al-Zoebi, ex-Minister in Syria, Allemagne, Professor Dr. Mohssen Massarrat, Osnabrück, Deutschland, Klaus Hartmann, Offenbach am Main, Bundesvorsitzender des Deutschen Freidenker-Verbandes, Germany, Krystyna Schydlo, Deutsch-Palästinensische Gesellschaft, Ruhrgebiet, Germany, Christoph Hörstel, Regierungs- /Unternehmensberater, Buchautor, Vors. Friedenskreis Deutschland e.V. i.G., Nehls, Gertrud, AK Asyl, Deutschland

Austria
Leo Gabriel (journalist and social anthropologist, member of the council of the World Social Forum, Austria), Johann Schögler (Styrian Peace Platform, Austria), Wilhelm Langthaler (Anti-imperialist Camp), Werner Pirker (journalist), Peter Melvyn (Jewish voices for a just peace in the Middle East), Hannes Hofbauer (publisher and publicist), Waltraud Schauer (former human shield in Iraq, Austria), Aleks Studen-Kirchner (author and interpreter, Austria), Milan Obid (chairman of the Slovene Students Club Vienna, Austria), Hermann Dworczak (social scientist, trade unionist, Austria), Wilfried Bader (local counsellor Angerberg, Tirol, Austria), Dipl. Ing. Marion Artlieb (computer scientist, Austria), Gerhard Oberkofler (University professor, Vice president of the Association Alfred Klahr, Innsbruck, Austria)

Belgium
François Houtart (professeur émérite de l'Université catholique de Louvain), Tom Lanoye (auteur), Jean Bricmont (physicien), Pol Goossens (journaliste), Ludo Abicht, Amir Haberkorn, Ouardia Derriche (membre de l’Association Belgique-Palestine), Ida Dequeecker (féministe), Robbe De Hert (cinéaste), Eric Goeman (woordvoerder Attac Vlaanderen), Nadine Rosa-Rosso (enseignante et auteur), Nadia Fadil (sociologue), Remi Verwimp (coördinator Werkplaats voor Theologie en Maatschappiij), Paul Delmotte (professeur IHECS), André Posman, (eredocent actualiteit Sint Lucasinstituut Gent, lic. Geschiedenis. Dir Concertreeksen DE Rode Pomp Gent), Luk Vervaet (président section belge IUPFP), Dyab Abou Jahjah (activiste, Belgique-Liban), Herman De Ley (emeritus professor, Universiteit Gent), Frank Roels, (MD, emeritus professor UGent, België), Gie van den Berghe (professor Universiteit Gent, ethicus en historicus), Ludo de Witte (auteur), Eric Rosseel (gepensioneerd docent psychologie VUB), Liliane Plouvier (Professeur de droit international Bruxelles), Elke Vandeperre ( coördinator vzw Motief), Michel Collon (écrivain et journaliste), Greta Alegre (cinéaste, Artistes contre le Mur), Francis Jorissen (webmaster Attac Vlaanderen, België), René Los (bestuurder), Sarah Bracke (feministe & professor KULeuven), Erik Swyngedouw (Professor of Geography School of Environment and Development Manchester University), Isabelle Ponet, enseignante retraitée, Renée Mousset (Association Belgique-Palestine Liège); Jean Marc Turine (écrivain), Malika Hamidi (doctorante EHESS à Paris), Paul Vanden Bavière (journaliste et historien), Ludo De Brabander (Stafmedewerker vzw Vrede), Yacob MAHI, Enseignant, Théologien, Dr. en Histoire et Sciences des Religions, Conférencier, Vergaelen Eva (writer Belgie), Myriam Vandecan (vzw CODIP), Hadassah Borreman (publiciste, Belgique), GEYS Herman (Kunstenaar België), Karel Arnaut, antropoloog, UGent, België, De Witte Paul Woordvoerder Basisbewehging voor democratie in samenlevving en kerken, Ronnie Ramirez, cinéaste, Nordine Saïdi (Mouvement Citoyen Palestine), Karim Hassoun - Voorzitter AEL Belgie, Daniel Vanhove Observateur civil – Auteur Membre de l'ABP et du MCP, Nathalie Jenart, psychologue, directrice d'un centre PMS, Bruxelles Belgique, Mommaerts Omer (militant vakbond ACV-CSC België)


Bulgaria
Georges Haddad (Writer, Bulgaria/Lebanon)

Cyprus
Belal Aabdelhai / PHD student/ Cyprus

Spain
Ángeles Maestro Martín (mèdica especialista en salud pública, Estado español), Carlo Frabetti (écrivain, État espagnol), Irene Amador (antropológue, État espagnol), Carlos Tena (periodista), Vicente Romano (professeur d'université, État espagnol), Gloria Pérez Berrocal (programmatrice de télévision, État espagnol), Alessandra Caporale, (social anthropologist, university lecturer Barcelona), Manuel Talens (écrivain, Espagne), Antonio Maira (Politólogo. Redactor Diario digital inSurGente), Anna Raventós Barangé (PhD Senior Lecturer Faculty of Arts and Letters University of Seville, Spain)

France
Saïd Bouamama (sociologue), Houria Bouteldja (Mouvement des Indigènes de la République), Raoul Marc Jennar (consultant en relations internationales), Alima Boumediene Thiery (sénatrice), Christine Delphy (Fondatrice et directrice de la revue NQF) / France"Viktor Dedaj (cyber-journaliste), Roland Diagne (enseignant en France, militant communiste marxiste-léniniste), Annie Lacroix-Riz (professeur d’histoire contemporaine, université Paris 7), Youssef Boussoumah (Mouvement des Indigènes de la République). Eric Colonna (citoyen engagé Lyon), Danielle Bleitrach (sociologue et écrivain), Jean-François Larosière (responsable syndical et associatif), Catherine Stern (enseignante d’Histoire à la retraite, ancienne chargée de cours à Paris), Philippe Révelli (jounaliste), Sophie Crêtaux (France, ex-chercheur au CNRS, agrégée d'histoire), Mireille Rumeau (militante politique, France), Youssef Girard (étudiant), Marie-Elise Akel, Abdelaziz Chaambi (militant associatif), Micheline Garreau (militante ISM, France), Alain Bruguier (infirmier libéral), Radouane Belahrache (Nîmes), Olivia Zémor (présidente de CAPJPO-EuroPalestine et responsable du site europalestine.com), Mohamed ZAAF, chirurgien et conseiller municipal (911510), Monique de Lope, ( professeur émérite à l'Université de Provence), Alain Bruguier alain infirmier libéral, vice président de l'afps de nimes dans le gard en france), Laure LAHAYE, Chargée de collections en arabe à la Bibliothèque nationale de France, Conseillère de quartier, Paris, Jean-Claude AMARA, porte parole de Droits devant

Greece
Gella Varnava-Skoura (professeur en sciences de l'éducation à l'Université d'Athènes), Yiannis Sifakakis (Stop the war Coalition-Greece), Petros Constantinou (Campain Genoa 2001Greece)

Hungary
Szamosfalvi Albert (artiste peintre Hongrie)

Ireland
Mairead Maguire (prix Nobel de la Paix), Danny Morrison (writer, Ireland)

Italy
Giulietto Chiesa (parlamentare europeo e giornalista), Lucio Manisco (giornalista ed ex parlamentare europeo), Gianni Vattimo (Filosofo ed ex parlamentare europeo), Margherita Hack (Astrofisica), Domenico Losurdo (Direttore Istituto Scienze filosofiche, università di Urbino), ), Danilo Zolo (Docente di Filosofia del Diritto internazionale, università di Firenze), Mary Rizzo (co-Editor of Palestine Think Tank and co-founders of Tlaxcala, Dr. Art Historian and Art Restorer), Prof.Massimo De Santi (Presidente Comitato Internazionale di Educazione per la Pace – ITALIA), Prof.ssa Giovanna Pagani (Presidente On. Wilpf Italia -Lega Internazionale delle Donne per la Pace e la Libertà – ITALIA), Dr.ssa Rosa Ayala Sosa (CIEP – ITALIA, Paola Manduca (geneticist Italy), Moreno Pasquinelli (Campo Antiimperialista), Dr. Mohamed Nour Dachan (Unione delle Comunità ed organizzazioni Islamiche in Italia), Elsa Verlicchi (Anthropologist, Rome, Italy), Miguel Martinez (websitewww.kelebekler.com Italy), Giulio Bonali (Italia)


Netherlands
Abdou Bouzerda (président Arab European League), Mohammed Benzakour (écrivain et journaliste), Robert Soeterik (antropoloog, Middle East Research Associates, Nederland), Miriyam Aouragh (co-organizer Dutch antiwar and antiracism campaign, initiator of the national demonstration for Gaza in Amsterdam, Research Fellow at Oxford University, UK) , Meyer Hajo G. (Bestuurslid “Een Ander Joods Geluid” Nederland), Gretta Duisenberg (Chair Foundation Stop the Occupation The Netherlands), Benzakour Mohammed (schrijver en journalist Nederland)

Portugal
Jose Saramago (écrivain), Miguel Urbano (écrivain)

Romania
Alexandru Polgar (philosophe, éditeur de la revue Idea)

Great Britain
Gilad Atzmon (artiste de jazz et écrivain), Tariq Ramadan (professor, Oxford/Erasmus Universities), Tariq Ali (writer, film-maker and editor of New Left Review), Sukant Chandan (Chair, English branch of the IUPFP), Estella Schmid (Kurdistan Solidarity Committee & CAMPACC, UK), John Hutnyk (Professor of Cultural Studies, Academic Director of CCS Goldsmiths University of London), Zaki El-Salahi (Masters student, Edinburgh, Scotland), Jon Kehoe (artist, London), Naima Bouteldja (Journalist, England), Robin Virgin (Pluto Press, England), David Halpin (FRCS Standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people,UK), Brenda Brown (Chair, Brighton & Hove Palestine Solidarity Campaign, England), Mathis Richet (Musician, England), Marishka Tharani (Actress, England), Mark Barrett (civil liberties campaigner, London, England), James House (maitre de conferences à l'Université de Leeds), Maud Bracke (lecturer, University of Glasgow, UK), Alan Cooper, Senior Lecturer
European College of Business and Management, Maha Rahwanji, Member of the Executive Committee, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Britain.

Sweden
Jan Myrdal (écrivain), Lasse Wilhelmson (teacher, Sweden), Einar Schlereth Journalist Sweden

USA
Greta Berlin (co-fondatrice Free Gaza Movment), James Petras (Bartle professor emeritus Binghamton University), John Catalinotto (managing editor, Workers World Newspaper, USA), Sara Flounders (co-director, International Action Center, USA), Emory Douglas (Former Minister of Culture of The Black Panther Party, USA), Dr Julio Pino ( professor of history), Dumas F. Lafontant Doumafis, (Organizer, African Liberation Day), Sebogo Bernard Nkumah (Chairperson of Boston Branch, All African People's Revolutionary Party)

Switzerland
Franz Fischer (Sekretariat Partei der Arbeit der Schweiz - Sektion Basel, Trade Union UNIA), SchweizFranco Cavalli (oncologist and president of the International Union of Cancer (IUCC), founder of Medicuba, Switzerland), Daniel Vischer (MP of the Green Party, Switzerland), George A. Kouchakji (Palestine Solidarity Basel, Switzerland), Nabil Sheikh Khalil,(Association to Support Palestinians in Need, Switzerland), Matthias Hui, Fachstelle OeME, Ref. Kirchen Bern-Jura-Solothurn, Schweiz, Peter Leuenberger, Historiker, Vorstandsmitglied Gesellschaft Schweiz-
Palästina, Schweiz

Canada
Tim Louis (former Vancouver City Councillor), Ivan Drury (member of Vancouver Socialist Forum, contributing editor of Socialist Voice), Mohamed Tawfik Al-Mansouri, Ph.D. ( Writer and Researcher, Afnan Magazine Canada), Hani Barghouthy, Writer , editor-in-chief of www.arabianawareness.com, Canada; Robert Bibeau, Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette Réalisatrice Québec, Canada

Brazil
Virginia Fontes (historienne, Rio de Janeiro), Augusto Boal (homme de théâtre)

Venezuela
Thierry Deronne (vice-président télévision publique Vive TV République bolivarienne du Venezuela), Durand Benjamin, (professeur de cinéma et télévision Venezuela Caracas)

Jordan
Hisham Bustani, Writer and Secretary of the Socialist Thought Forum, Jordan

Syria
Prof Dr Georges Jabbour (President UN Association of Syria, Independent Expert Human Rights Council, 2002-2008 Former Presidential Adviser and Member of Parliament)

Lebanon
Mohammad Kassem (Beirut International Forum For Resistance , Anti Imperialist , People's Solidarity and Alternatives) LYNA AL TABBAL Chef du département des droits de l'homme à l'université JINAN / Tripoli-Liban, Lebanon
Sari Hanafi (Associate professor, American University of Beirut)

Egypt
Yehia Al kazaz, Egypt, Prof unif et ecrivain et activiste

Palestine
Marcy Newman (Associate Professor, An Najah University, Nablus)
Abdulmohsin klawasmi, prof unif, Jerusalem,

South Africa
Buti Manamela (National Secretary Young Communist League of South Africa), Andre Zaaiman (Researcher, South Africa), Ronnie Kasrils (former South African government minister; writer and activist, South Africa)

Iraq
Isam AlYasiri ,Journalist Iraq

Maroc
MOHAMED EL KADI, fonction/ qualité: Président de l'Agence Méditerranée pour la Coopération Internationale, Journaliste / Directeur du Journal "La Méditerranée" Fès / MarocAbdelwahed El Moutawakil (Secrétaire général du cercle politique du mouvement Justice et Spiritualité), Nadia Yassine (fondatrice de la section féminine du mouvement Justice et Spiritualité), Fathallah Arsalan (porte parole du mouvement Justice et Spiritualité), Omar Amkassou (membre du conseil d'orientation du mouvement Justice et Spiritualité), Mohammed El Hamdaoui (membre du conseil d'orientation du mouvement Justice et Spiritualité), Batoul Bicha (enseignante), Mouna khalifi (membre du secrétariat général du cercle politique (mouvement justice et spiritualité), Abdessamad Fathi (coordinateur du comité marocain du soutien aux causes de la Nation), Ghizlain Bahraoui (membre du secrétariat général du cercle politique (mouvement justice et spiritualité), Mohammed Salmi (Responsable du comité des droits de l'Homme (mouvement justice et spiritualité), Najia Rahmani, (chercheuse), Mohammed Manar (chercheur), Aziza Sakhraji (enseignante chercheuse), Hassan Bennajeh (responsable de la jeunesse du mouvement justice et spiritualité), Fatima Kassid (membre du secrétariat général du cercle politique (mouvement justice et spiritualité), Omar Iharchane (chercheur), Merieme Yafout (Responsable de la section féminine du mouvement Justice et Spiritualité), Abdallah Chibani (membre du secrétariat général du cercle politique (mouvement justice et spiritualité), Mustapha Erriq (responsable du secteur syndical du mouvement justice et spiritualité, Abdellah Bella (enseignant Maroc)

Cuba/Mexico
Ángel Guerra Cabrera (periodista y académico, Cuba/México), Khaled Kasab Mahameed, the founder of the Holocaust Museum in Nazareth

Norway
Nidal Hamad, Writer and Joournalist, Palestine/Norway

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How the EU turns a blind eye to Israel's crimes...

...and handsomely rewards the rogue state’s illegal occupation, ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses

By Stuart Littlewood Stuart Littlewood considers a new document which shows how the European Union turns a blind eye to grave breaches by Israel of its legal and human rights obligations under its partnership agreements with the EU.

At last, someone has published an easy-to-read document that sets out very clearly how Israel consistently ignores the legal and human rights obligations that form the basic conditions to the various economic cooperation agreements it has with the European Union. Israel clearly had no intention of complying and its repeated breaches should have resulted in suspension or expulsion long ago. Yet the regime continues to enjoy “most favoured nation” status.

It shows how very silly politicians and bureaucrats in Brussels and Strasbourg, working in a dictatorial system the citizens of Europe don't understand and cannot directly influence, have lavishly rewarded Israel for its criminal acts and for its unlawful occupation of Palestine which, judging by its actions, it intends to make permanent.

So thank you, David Morrison, for producing "The European Union's Blind Eye”, a hard-hitting document that the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) intends submitting to the EU.

David Morrison, a member of the London-based Bevin Society and a prolific writer on politics, tells me it is
an organized summary of stuff I have been writing for the past few years. Initially, we have been concentrating on drawing it to the attention of the political class in Ireland – we have sent it to all national politicians in Ireland (and Irish MEPs) and we intend to launch it in Dublin in a few weeks.

"I'm hoping to get other solidarity organizations in Europe to take up the ideas in it.

They should jump at it it. This is an excellent reference tool and it comes at a critical time. The British government has just appointed the unlamented former minister in charge of Middle East affairs and a former chairman of Labour Friends of Israel, Kim Howells, as the new chairman of the all-important Intelligence and Security Committee.

This body has oversight of the Security Service (MI5), the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and the work of the Joint Intelligence Committee and the Intelligence and Security Secretariat, which includes the Assessments Staff in the Cabinet Office. The committee also takes evidence from the Defence Intelligence Staff, part of the Ministry of Defence (see this and this).

With five inserts out of the nine on this all-important committee, the Israel lobby has British security nicely covered. These people have access to highly classified material. One of them employs an assistant called Yoav Zand – unbelievable, you might think.

But it is just one of many signs that the “integration” with Europe that the Israeli regime yearns for and has cleverly planned is already well advanced. They are confident that they have enough stooges in high places for this to continue and develop without the need to change their criminal behaviour – or give up the occupation of Palestine, or cease persecuting Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land, or stop being a threat to world peace.

Should the British public be comfortable with this state of affairs? Should the people of Europe?

When they read David Morrison's "The European Union's Blind Eye" they'll be hopping mad. And those gullible enough to have signed up as Israel supporters will deservedly squirm.

Israel: European Union's Blind Eye - Upload a Document to Scribd

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