17 apr 2018
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To find out more about the ways the EU is funding Israeli military companies watch this video:
Today, on the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian Political Prisoners, more than 150 European trade unions, political parties, human rights organizations and faith groups from over 16 European countries have issued a call urging the EU to uphold its legal responsibilities and exclude Israeli military companies from EU Framework Programs. This call – accompanied by a video briefing – comes at a time when at least 35 unarmed Palestinians have been shot dead by Israeli snipers during three weeks of protests at Gaza’s border with Israel. |
The 150 strong list of signatories includes, according to the PNN, 20 signatories from Ireland, including political parties Sinn Féin, Solidarity, People Before Profit and the Communist Party, trade union organisations like TSSA and Dublin and Derry trades unions councils, NGOs like Afri, the Africa Centre and Centre for Global Education, solidarity groups like the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Sadaka and Academics for Palestine, and other anti-war, anti-racist and social justice organisations.
From the rest of Europe, it includes the European Network Against Arms Trade – a network of 18 organisations from 13 European countries, the National Federation of Railway Workers, Transport Workers, Officials and Employees of Luxembourg, Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees, Comisiones Obreras and CGT in the Spanish State, La Centrale Generale FGTB in Belgium, UNISON in Britain and the north of Ireland, the Belgian Workers Party, Podemos in the Spanish State, déi Lénk in Luxembourg, a global Catholic peace movement Pax Christi International, Friends of the Earth Finland, Human Rights League in France and Kairos Sabeel in the Netherlands and UK among others. See here for letter and full list of signatories.
The signatories stress that “European taxpayers’ money is being channeled to military companies, among them many Israeli corporations, under the disguise of research and a promise that the technologies and techniques developed will be used solely for civilian purposes.”
The call states that “one of the ways in which arms and military companies have gained access to EU funding is through the current EU Program for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020. This includes many Israeli military companies. Although the EU claims that research funds have gone only to projects with civilian applications, many of the projects approved are of dual-use nature serving military interests as well. Many others serve policies that curb or violate refugees’ rights and militarize our societies.”
The signatories call on the EU to immediately exclude all Israeli military and security companies from the EU framework programs, given that an analysis of past projects has shown that their participation in these programs inherently involves EU support for the development and legitimization of, and profiting from, technology and methodology used by Israel in the commission of war crimes and human rights violations.
Already in 2015 a coalition of 30 Palestinian trade unions and civil society organisations have called on the EU to exclude Israeli military companies from Horizon 2020. Also in 2015, Members of the European Parliament issued similar call.
“Public and governmental bodies must respect their obligations under international law and their own constitutions. It is time for European citizens to demand that not a penny more of their tax money be gifted to Israeli military and security corporations and institutions. It’s also beyond time for national governments to pressure the EU on its political and ethical inconsistencies, and for the EU to respect its own legislation” – said Ana Sanchez, international campaigns officer for Palestinian Boycott National Committee, one of the signatories of the call.
Aneta Jerska from the European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine concluded: “It is empowering and heartening to see so many European trade unions, civil society organisations and representative bodies publicly demanding the end of EU’s support for Israel’s violations of international law and human rights abuses. This is a powerful sign that European public opinion is well aware that Israel has been occupying and colonising Palestine by military means in breach of UN resolutions and International Law, and by speaking out like this clearly conveying the message that we refuse to remain complicit.”
From the rest of Europe, it includes the European Network Against Arms Trade – a network of 18 organisations from 13 European countries, the National Federation of Railway Workers, Transport Workers, Officials and Employees of Luxembourg, Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees, Comisiones Obreras and CGT in the Spanish State, La Centrale Generale FGTB in Belgium, UNISON in Britain and the north of Ireland, the Belgian Workers Party, Podemos in the Spanish State, déi Lénk in Luxembourg, a global Catholic peace movement Pax Christi International, Friends of the Earth Finland, Human Rights League in France and Kairos Sabeel in the Netherlands and UK among others. See here for letter and full list of signatories.
The signatories stress that “European taxpayers’ money is being channeled to military companies, among them many Israeli corporations, under the disguise of research and a promise that the technologies and techniques developed will be used solely for civilian purposes.”
The call states that “one of the ways in which arms and military companies have gained access to EU funding is through the current EU Program for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020. This includes many Israeli military companies. Although the EU claims that research funds have gone only to projects with civilian applications, many of the projects approved are of dual-use nature serving military interests as well. Many others serve policies that curb or violate refugees’ rights and militarize our societies.”
The signatories call on the EU to immediately exclude all Israeli military and security companies from the EU framework programs, given that an analysis of past projects has shown that their participation in these programs inherently involves EU support for the development and legitimization of, and profiting from, technology and methodology used by Israel in the commission of war crimes and human rights violations.
Already in 2015 a coalition of 30 Palestinian trade unions and civil society organisations have called on the EU to exclude Israeli military companies from Horizon 2020. Also in 2015, Members of the European Parliament issued similar call.
“Public and governmental bodies must respect their obligations under international law and their own constitutions. It is time for European citizens to demand that not a penny more of their tax money be gifted to Israeli military and security corporations and institutions. It’s also beyond time for national governments to pressure the EU on its political and ethical inconsistencies, and for the EU to respect its own legislation” – said Ana Sanchez, international campaigns officer for Palestinian Boycott National Committee, one of the signatories of the call.
Aneta Jerska from the European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine concluded: “It is empowering and heartening to see so many European trade unions, civil society organisations and representative bodies publicly demanding the end of EU’s support for Israel’s violations of international law and human rights abuses. This is a powerful sign that European public opinion is well aware that Israel has been occupying and colonising Palestine by military means in breach of UN resolutions and International Law, and by speaking out like this clearly conveying the message that we refuse to remain complicit.”
Four Palestinians on Tuesday evening were injured as Israeli occupation forces (IOF) quelled the march of return which has been going on for the 19th day in a row east of Gaza Strip.
The PIC reporter said that three residents were wounded east of Gaza while a fourth was shot east of al-Buraij refugee camp in Central Gaza.
The protesters in Khan Younis managed to remove a part of the security fence north of al-Awdah camp in Khuzaa, the PIC reporter pointed out.
The PIC reporter said that three residents were wounded east of Gaza while a fourth was shot east of al-Buraij refugee camp in Central Gaza.
The protesters in Khan Younis managed to remove a part of the security fence north of al-Awdah camp in Khuzaa, the PIC reporter pointed out.
The Israeli army has claimed that Palestinian protesters along the Gaza border have attached firebombs to kites and flown them over the border fence, sparking several fires in the region.
According to the Israeli Yediot Aharonot newspaper, kites with firebombs tied to them have been discovered recently on Gaza’s eastern borders. The blazes have allegedly caused damage to a ranch in the area.
The Israeli army has been on high alert in anticipation of such future incidents. Israeli communities residing in settlements near Gaza border have been asked to remain alert and report any unusual fires in the area.
For the past several weeks thousands of Palestinians have staged peaceful protests along the border fence separating the besieged Gaza Strip from territories occupied in 1948, demanding hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who were displaced from their homes be allowed to return.
The so-called “ Great March of Return” is set to climax on May 15, when the Palestinians will mark 70 years since the “nakba” (“catastrophe” in Arabic), which culminated in the displacement of thousands of Palestinians from their motherland—Palestine.
According to the Israeli Yediot Aharonot newspaper, kites with firebombs tied to them have been discovered recently on Gaza’s eastern borders. The blazes have allegedly caused damage to a ranch in the area.
The Israeli army has been on high alert in anticipation of such future incidents. Israeli communities residing in settlements near Gaza border have been asked to remain alert and report any unusual fires in the area.
For the past several weeks thousands of Palestinians have staged peaceful protests along the border fence separating the besieged Gaza Strip from territories occupied in 1948, demanding hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who were displaced from their homes be allowed to return.
The so-called “ Great March of Return” is set to climax on May 15, when the Palestinians will mark 70 years since the “nakba” (“catastrophe” in Arabic), which culminated in the displacement of thousands of Palestinians from their motherland—Palestine.
Pictures posted on social media networks show a group of Israeli settlers standing at military watchtowers overseeing Gaza borders, laughing and cheering as Israeli snipers gun down peaceful protesters.
In snapshots taken from Nahal Oz settlement, east of the blockaded Gaza Strip, and published on Twitter by Israel’s Channel 2 correspondent, Israeli settlers appear to bust into hysterical laughter as unarmed protesters on the Gaza border are fatally shot and injured by the Israeli military.
The correspondent commented on the pictures as follows: “The best show in the country ever. . . Nahal Oz settlers standing on the hillside”.
The photos sparked widespread condemnation on social media.
The Middle East Monitor newspaper said the pictures come at a time when the Palestinians have been striving to heal their wounds after 35 were killed and thousands wounded in Israeli aggressions on the Great March of Return protests.
The newspaper also said that Israeli occupation forces used strange and unknown gases against unarmed, peaceful protesters on Gaza borders.
Unmanned drones were used to drop the gas on the demonstrators. The gases caused protesters’ bodies to convulse and tremble. Many lost consciousness.
In snapshots taken from Nahal Oz settlement, east of the blockaded Gaza Strip, and published on Twitter by Israel’s Channel 2 correspondent, Israeli settlers appear to bust into hysterical laughter as unarmed protesters on the Gaza border are fatally shot and injured by the Israeli military.
The correspondent commented on the pictures as follows: “The best show in the country ever. . . Nahal Oz settlers standing on the hillside”.
The photos sparked widespread condemnation on social media.
The Middle East Monitor newspaper said the pictures come at a time when the Palestinians have been striving to heal their wounds after 35 were killed and thousands wounded in Israeli aggressions on the Great March of Return protests.
The newspaper also said that Israeli occupation forces used strange and unknown gases against unarmed, peaceful protesters on Gaza borders.
Unmanned drones were used to drop the gas on the demonstrators. The gases caused protesters’ bodies to convulse and tremble. Many lost consciousness.
16 apr 2018
Dozens of academics at the University of Sydney have declared their support for the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, reported the Australian.
The move comes as a response to the lethal crackdown by Israeli occupation forces on Palestinian protesters in the Gaza Strip.
The Australian notes, according to Days of Palestine, that signatories to the BDS pledge say they “will not attend conferences sponsored by Israeli universities, participate in academic exchange schemes, or otherwise collaborate professionally with Israeli universities until the stated goals have been fulfilled.”
The BDS campaign, describes the paper, is an international movement “inspired by the success of boycotts in bringing an end to apartheid in South Africa.”
Nick Riemer, a senior lecturer in English and linguistics at the University of Sydney and a member of its BDS group, said the response from fellow academics was encouraging and expressed his hope that the pledge would spread to other Australian universities.
“People are already talking at Melbourne about the possibility of something like this,” he said.
According to the Sydney BDS website, some 40 academics have currently endorsed the pledge.
The move comes as a response to the lethal crackdown by Israeli occupation forces on Palestinian protesters in the Gaza Strip.
The Australian notes, according to Days of Palestine, that signatories to the BDS pledge say they “will not attend conferences sponsored by Israeli universities, participate in academic exchange schemes, or otherwise collaborate professionally with Israeli universities until the stated goals have been fulfilled.”
The BDS campaign, describes the paper, is an international movement “inspired by the success of boycotts in bringing an end to apartheid in South Africa.”
Nick Riemer, a senior lecturer in English and linguistics at the University of Sydney and a member of its BDS group, said the response from fellow academics was encouraging and expressed his hope that the pledge would spread to other Australian universities.
“People are already talking at Melbourne about the possibility of something like this,” he said.
According to the Sydney BDS website, some 40 academics have currently endorsed the pledge.
Amnesty International called on Israeli forces to put an end to the use of excessive force in response to “Great March of Return” protests.
Following the deaths of 26 Palestinians, including three children and a photojournalist, Yasser Murtaja, and the injuring of around 3,078 others during protests on the past two Fridays, Amnesty is renewing its call for independent and effective investigations into reports that Israeli soldiers unlawfully used firearms and other excessive force against unarmed protesters.
“For the past two weeks, the world has watched in horror as Israeli forces unleashed excessive, deadly force against protesters, including children, who merely demand an end to Israel’s brutal policies towards Gaza and a life of dignity,” said Magdalena Mughrabi, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
“The Israeli authorities must urgently reverse their policies and abide by their international legal obligations. Their horrifying use of live ammunition against unarmed protesters, and the resultant deaths, must be investigated as possible unlawful killings,” she added.
Following the deaths of 26 Palestinians, including three children and a photojournalist, Yasser Murtaja, and the injuring of around 3,078 others during protests on the past two Fridays, Amnesty is renewing its call for independent and effective investigations into reports that Israeli soldiers unlawfully used firearms and other excessive force against unarmed protesters.
“For the past two weeks, the world has watched in horror as Israeli forces unleashed excessive, deadly force against protesters, including children, who merely demand an end to Israel’s brutal policies towards Gaza and a life of dignity,” said Magdalena Mughrabi, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
“The Israeli authorities must urgently reverse their policies and abide by their international legal obligations. Their horrifying use of live ammunition against unarmed protesters, and the resultant deaths, must be investigated as possible unlawful killings,” she added.
Israel’s High Court turned down a petition demanding that the occupation authorities issue an official resolution banning the shooting of Palestinian protesters during the Great March of Return rallies in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
According to the Hebrew-speaking Yediot Aharonot, the High Court of Israel claimed that its adjudicators are not eligible to look into cases filed by those affected by Israeli military policies in Gaza.
After three weeks in which Israeli army snipers have killed dozens and wounded thousands of protesters inside the Gaza Strip, four prominent human rights organizations petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice on Sunday, demanding that the court order the government to revoke the rules of engagement that permit shooting demonstrators who pose no danger to human life.
The overwhelming majority of those who were killed and wounded by Israeli forces over the past three weeks were unarmed participants in the “Great Return March,” a 45-day series of festivals and protests set to culminate on Nakba Day in mid-May.
The rules of engagement that the army has applied to besieged Gaza permit soldiers to shoot live rounds at demonstrators regardless of whether they actually endanger human life, according to the petition. Moreover, the regulations allow soldiers to shoot demonstrators who get too close to the border fence, even if they are not posing a danger to anyone.
At least six Palestinian journalists were reportedly among those shot at the Great Return March in recent weeks. One of them, Yasser Murtaja, a photographer for “Ain Media” who was wearing a helmet and vest clearly marked “PRESS” when he was shot, later died of his wounds.
The four Israeli human rights organizations behind petition, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), Yesh Din, Gisha, and Hamoked: Center for the Defense of the Individual, argued that there is no prohibition on holding demonstrations in Gaza, and that violence or attempts to cross the border fence should be seen as civil disturbances — not armed warfare. Therefore, the demonstrations are not subject to the laws of war and they do they justify use of live fire.
Despite international criticism and calls for an independent investigation into the killings, Israeli authorities have doubled down on the decision to open fire on unarmed protesters.
Last week, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Fatou Bensouda warned that violence against civilians — in a situation such as one prevailing in Gaza could constitute war crimes.
According to the Hebrew-speaking Yediot Aharonot, the High Court of Israel claimed that its adjudicators are not eligible to look into cases filed by those affected by Israeli military policies in Gaza.
After three weeks in which Israeli army snipers have killed dozens and wounded thousands of protesters inside the Gaza Strip, four prominent human rights organizations petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice on Sunday, demanding that the court order the government to revoke the rules of engagement that permit shooting demonstrators who pose no danger to human life.
The overwhelming majority of those who were killed and wounded by Israeli forces over the past three weeks were unarmed participants in the “Great Return March,” a 45-day series of festivals and protests set to culminate on Nakba Day in mid-May.
The rules of engagement that the army has applied to besieged Gaza permit soldiers to shoot live rounds at demonstrators regardless of whether they actually endanger human life, according to the petition. Moreover, the regulations allow soldiers to shoot demonstrators who get too close to the border fence, even if they are not posing a danger to anyone.
At least six Palestinian journalists were reportedly among those shot at the Great Return March in recent weeks. One of them, Yasser Murtaja, a photographer for “Ain Media” who was wearing a helmet and vest clearly marked “PRESS” when he was shot, later died of his wounds.
The four Israeli human rights organizations behind petition, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), Yesh Din, Gisha, and Hamoked: Center for the Defense of the Individual, argued that there is no prohibition on holding demonstrations in Gaza, and that violence or attempts to cross the border fence should be seen as civil disturbances — not armed warfare. Therefore, the demonstrations are not subject to the laws of war and they do they justify use of live fire.
Despite international criticism and calls for an independent investigation into the killings, Israeli authorities have doubled down on the decision to open fire on unarmed protesters.
Last week, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Fatou Bensouda warned that violence against civilians — in a situation such as one prevailing in Gaza could constitute war crimes.
15 apr 2018
Coordination committee of the Great March of Return has sent a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid bin Ra'ad asking him to send an international fact-finding mission to keep a close watch on Gaza protests.
Head of the committee Zaher Birawi said that the letter conveyed that the Israeli occupation forces continue to attack unarmed protesters near Gaza border although they have maintained the peacefulness of the Great March of Return since the day it was first launched.
Birawi explained that 32 Palestinians have been killed, two of whom are being detained by the Israeli occupation forces, and over 2,850 injured due to Israel's excessive use of lethal force against peaceful protesters demanding their right of return.
Birawi stressed in his letter that there are legal obligations which Israel must abide by mainly organized by three international protocols: the Hague Regulations on the Laws and Customs of War on Land of 1907, the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of Armed Conflict, and the Additional Protocol I to the Four Geneva Conventions of 1977.
The coordination committee said that the civilians living under occupation should not be subjected to collective punishment, such as the siege imposed on Gaza, or excessive force like what is happening in the Great March of Return.
It continued to say that the use of excessive and unlawful force against peaceful protests in Gaza violates Articles 27 and 47 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article 46 of the Hague Regulations.
Head of the committee Zaher Birawi said that the letter conveyed that the Israeli occupation forces continue to attack unarmed protesters near Gaza border although they have maintained the peacefulness of the Great March of Return since the day it was first launched.
Birawi explained that 32 Palestinians have been killed, two of whom are being detained by the Israeli occupation forces, and over 2,850 injured due to Israel's excessive use of lethal force against peaceful protesters demanding their right of return.
Birawi stressed in his letter that there are legal obligations which Israel must abide by mainly organized by three international protocols: the Hague Regulations on the Laws and Customs of War on Land of 1907, the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of Armed Conflict, and the Additional Protocol I to the Four Geneva Conventions of 1977.
The coordination committee said that the civilians living under occupation should not be subjected to collective punishment, such as the siege imposed on Gaza, or excessive force like what is happening in the Great March of Return.
It continued to say that the use of excessive and unlawful force against peaceful protests in Gaza violates Articles 27 and 47 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article 46 of the Hague Regulations.
At least three Palestinians were shot and injured by Israeli gunfire on Sunday evening as Israeli occupation forces (IOF) quelled the participants of the great march of return which has been going on for 17 days in a row east of Gaza Strip.
The PIC reporters said that one Palestinian was shot in his foot after IOF soldiers targeted a group of Palestinian youths near al-Awada camp in Khuzaa east of Khan Younis. Two others were injured east Gaza and Jabalya, he added.
The PIC reporters said that one Palestinian was shot in his foot after IOF soldiers targeted a group of Palestinian youths near al-Awada camp in Khuzaa east of Khan Younis. Two others were injured east Gaza and Jabalya, he added.
The Great March of Return will reach its peak on May 15 –the day which marks the 70th anniversary of the Nakba, Senior member of Hamas Political Bureau Khalil al-Hayya said on Sunday.
During the funeral of four Palestinian resistance fighters killed in an explosion in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, al-Hayya stated: "The Great March of Return is one of the tools used by the Palestinian resistance to confront the Israeli occupation."
“Our people’s will is far stronger than Israel’s barbed wire and apartheid fences separating the Gaza Strip from territories occupied in 1948,” he said. “The Israelis should wait for May 15, the day when the wind will be taken out of their sail by the Palestinian masses. Our ultimate destination is Occupied Jerusalem.”
During the funeral of four Palestinian resistance fighters killed in an explosion in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, al-Hayya stated: "The Great March of Return is one of the tools used by the Palestinian resistance to confront the Israeli occupation."
“Our people’s will is far stronger than Israel’s barbed wire and apartheid fences separating the Gaza Strip from territories occupied in 1948,” he said. “The Israelis should wait for May 15, the day when the wind will be taken out of their sail by the Palestinian masses. Our ultimate destination is Occupied Jerusalem.”
The Israeli occupation army on Sunday claimed that it had destroyed in the weekend a Hamas tunnel that originated in the northern Gaza Strip and reached into the 1948 occupied Palestinian territories.
Hebrew media sources reported that the Israeli army had destroyed a "Hamas attack tunnel" which violated the Israeli sovereignty.
According to the information cleared for publication Sunday morning, the tunnel extended several kilometers inside the Gaza Strip.
According to Arab 48 website, Israel's Minister of War Avigdor Lieberman said that the newly-destroyed tunnel is the longest and deepest one ever discovered.
In an attempt to incite the public opinion in Gaza against Hamas, Lieberman said on Twitter, "Citizens of Gaza, Hamas is burning your money on tunnels going nowhere. We'll get our hands on all of them."
The Israeli army used its allegations published in a statement on Sunday about the tunnel to incite against the Palestinian resistance and divert attention from the crimes committed by Israeli soldiers against the peaceful protesters taking part in the Great March of Return.
The Israeli army held Hamas and other resistance movements responsible for what is happening the Gaza Strip, claiming that Hamas plans to carry out anti-Israel attacks under the guise of mass protests near the border.
Hebrew media sources reported that the Israeli army had destroyed a "Hamas attack tunnel" which violated the Israeli sovereignty.
According to the information cleared for publication Sunday morning, the tunnel extended several kilometers inside the Gaza Strip.
According to Arab 48 website, Israel's Minister of War Avigdor Lieberman said that the newly-destroyed tunnel is the longest and deepest one ever discovered.
In an attempt to incite the public opinion in Gaza against Hamas, Lieberman said on Twitter, "Citizens of Gaza, Hamas is burning your money on tunnels going nowhere. We'll get our hands on all of them."
The Israeli army used its allegations published in a statement on Sunday about the tunnel to incite against the Palestinian resistance and divert attention from the crimes committed by Israeli soldiers against the peaceful protesters taking part in the Great March of Return.
The Israeli army held Hamas and other resistance movements responsible for what is happening the Gaza Strip, claiming that Hamas plans to carry out anti-Israel attacks under the guise of mass protests near the border.
