<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1">
</head>
<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
<h1 class="title" id="page-title">From Gaza we say: the outcome of
our battle depends on you</h1>
<div class="field-publisher">
<a href="http://electronicintifada.net/people/electronic-intifada"
typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel"
datatype="">The Electronic Intifada</a> </div>
<div class="field-location">
<b><small><small><a
href="http://electronicintifada.net/location/gaza-strip"
typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel"
datatype="">http://electronicintifada.net/content/gaza-we-say-outcome-our-battle-depends-you/13835</a></small></small></b>
</div>
<div class="field-publication-date">
<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date"
datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-09-05T19:47:00+00:00">5
September 2014</span> </div>
<div class="field-body">
<p>From the ruins of our towns and cities in Gaza, we send our
heartfelt appreciation to all those who stood with us and
mobilized during the latest Israeli massacre.</p>
<p>In the occupied West Bank, Israel has embarked on one of its
largest illegal land grabs in decades by <a
href="http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=724424">confiscating
another 1,000 acres of Palestinian land</a> to expand its
illegal colonies.</p>
<p>Now, our battle to hold Israel accountable for its fresh war
crimes and crimes against humanity has begun. The outcome of
this battle to end Israeli impunity will determine whether
Israel’s latest assault will be yet another stage in Israel’s “<a
href="http://electronicintifada.net/content/israels-incremental-genocide-gaza-ghetto/13562">incremental
genocide</a>” of Palestinians or the turning point that will
bring an end to Israel’s status as an entity above the law – the
world’s dangerous pariah. The outcome of this battle depends on
you.</p>
<p>Two months after its 2008–2009 massacre in Gaza, Israel’s prize
was an upgrade in trade relations with the European Union. By
2012, western powers in cooperation with the UN Secretary
General had effectively prevented all investigation by the
United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC) into
the war crimes and crimes against humanity that Israel committed
during the attack.</p>
<p>During the most recent massacre, on 2 August 2014, three days
after the occupation forces bombed the designated UN
humanitarian shelter in Jabaliya refugee camp, killing 20
civilians and wounding at least 150 people as they slept, the US
Congress approved $225 million in additional military aid to
Israel. The following day, the occupation forces bombed another
UN shelter in Rafah killing ten civilians and injuring dozens.</p>
<p>Also during the massacre, Germany sold Israel an attack
submarine with nuclear capability, and the United Kingdom
refused to freeze its arms sales to Israel. These and other
forms of criminal complicity from world governments and official
bodies pave the way for Israel’s ongoing genocidal attacks. It
is up to people of conscience and all those who seek peace with
justice worldwide to make sure this complicity ends now.</p>
<p>We urge you to stand with the Palestinian people in its
entirety and to demand that Israel be held accountable for the
war crimes and crimes against humanity it has committed and
continues to commit against the Palestinian people everywhere.</p>
<p>We urge you to intensify boycott, divestment and sanctions
(BDS) campaigns to further isolate Israel economically,
militarily, academically and culturally.</p>
<p>Intensify BDS against Israel in all fields, including by taking
the following actions:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Working to have arrest warrants issued against Israeli war
criminals and for them to be tried before your courts.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Pressuring governments to impose a comprehensive military
embargo on Israel.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Pressuring governments to suspend all free trade and
bilateral agreements with Israel until it complies with
international law.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Building effective direct action against Israel and Israeli
companies, such as the inspiring <a
href="http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/charlotte-silver/israeli-ship-blocked-unloading-oakland-four-straight-days">Block
the Boat</a> actions that prevented Israeli ships from
unloading in California and Seattle, and the occupations of
Israeli weapons company Elbit Systems’ factories in the <a
href="http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/asa-winstanley/uk-activists-shut-factory-demand-israel-arms-embargo">UK</a>
and <a
href="http://indymedia.org.au/2014/08/17/melbourne-activists-lock-down-israeli-arms-factory">Australia</a>.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Working within trade unions to raise awareness about
Israel’s regime of oppression and engaging in effective BDS
measures such as stopping handling of Israeli goods,
divesting trade union funds from Israel and complicit
companies, and boycotting complicit Israel trade unions. The
trade union movement has a proud history of successful
campaigning against apartheid in South Africa, and the
Congress of South African Trade Unions has joined
Palestinian trade unions in <a
href="http://www.bdsmovement.net/2014/stand-with-palestinian-workers-in-gaza-a-call-for-trade-union-solidarity-12404">calling
for trade union action to end Israel’s impunity</a>.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Holding to account those corporations and retailers that
support and profit from Israel’s regime of occupation,
colonialism and apartheid, including by boycotting their
products and taking creative and direct action. The
Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) has <a
href="http://www.bdsmovement.net/make-an-impact">suggested
a list</a> of corporate criminals to target.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The majority of the world’s people are waking up to the reality
of Israel’s rogue regime of oppression and racism. For the rest
of what is supposed to be the UN’s <a
href="http://unispal.un.org/unispal.nsf/solidarity.htm">International
Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People</a>, demand an
end to Israel’s criminal impunity. Stand with Gaza, and act for
freedom, justice and peace in Palestine.</p>
<p>Issued by the <a
href="http://www.bdsmovement.net/2014/www.bdsmovement.net/bnc">Palestinian
BDS National Committee</a> (BNC) and the following Gaza
organizations/unions:</p>
<ul>
<li>Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions</li>
<li>University Teachers’ Association in Palestine</li>
<li>Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (umbrella
for 133 orgs)</li>
<li>Medical Democratic Assembly</li>
<li>General Union of Palestine Workers</li>
<li>General Union for Health Services Workers</li>
<li>General Union for Public Services Workers</li>
<li>General Union for Petrochemical and Gas Workers</li>
<li>General Union for Agricultural Workers</li>
<li>Union of Women’s Work Committees</li>
<li>Pal-Cinema (Palestine Cinema Forum)</li>
<li>Herak Youth Movement</li>
<li>Union of Women’s Struggle Committees</li>
<li>Union of Synergies–Women’s Unit</li>
<li>Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees</li>
<li>Women’s Studies Society</li>
<li>Working Women’s Society</li>
<li>Palestinian Students’ Campaign for the Academic Boycott of
Israel</li>
<li>Gaza BDS Working Group</li>
<li>One Democratic State Group</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
415 863.9977
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.freedomarchives.org">www.freedomarchives.org</a>
</div>
</body>
</html>