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Up one levelACTION ALERT: Letters Needed: It's the Occupation, Mr. Cordesman
Today, the New York Times published an op-ed by Anthony Cordesman 'Help the Palestinians Help Us' (7/22) which rests the success of the 'peace process' on the training Palestinian Security forces -- led by the US but with assistance from Jordan, Canada, the British, and "private contractors." The author maintains that efforts to train the security forces are being hampered by State Dept decisions to limit American military involvement with Palestinians. Mr. Cordesman already seems to have forgotten the turmoil caused by the previous US military role when plans to confront Hamas failed in Gaza (see Vanity Fair Article below). The author also downplays the significance of larger structural issues such as the occupation, settlements, IDF raids, and the wall which proceed with impunity. Please let the New York Times letters@nytimes.com know that US efforts should focus on the engine of occupation rather than the exhaust in order to move forward. Be sure to include your name, address, and keep your letters under 150 words.
ACTION ALERT: Contact your representative and senators NOW!
The Three IMMEDIATE Issues In Summary: House Concurrent Resolution 321, calls for a diplomatic surge in the Middle East. CNI and FPSN SUPPORTS THIS BILL. House Concurrent Resolution 362, calls for war-like sanctions on Iran, including severe restrictions on the travel of its officials and the prohibition of the export to Iran of needed gasoline. CNI and FPSN OPPOSES THIS BILL. Appropriation of nearly $3 billion in military aid to Israel, with no conditions, while it continues to steal Palestinian land and abuse millions of Palestinians. CNI and FPSN OPPOSES THIS.
ACTION ALERT: Oppose Military Funds for Israel
The House and Senate committees, which have jurisdiction over foreign aid, will be voting soon on military aid to Israel for FY2009. Take Action NOW!
Thank NY Times for Honest Protrayal of Gaza
Yesterday, the NY Times printed an op-ed on life in the Gaza Strip “Smells of Gaza” by Nikki Bennett of Oxfam (6/4), where Bennett describes her first hand observations while traveling around the Gaza Strip. Bennett provides an informative description of the serious humanitarian and environmental crisis faced in occupied Gaza resulting from the Israeli blockade and international isolation. (The author also refers to international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention in relation to this situation -- a rarity in the mainstream media and the NY Times in particular.)
Action Alert: Letters Needed: LA Times One State Solution & More
WRITE! For Justice, Human Rights and International Law in Palestine As the debate on Israel's 60th anniversary and the loss of Palestinian statehood continues in the media, the Los Angeles Times published two noteworthy opinions today. The first, by UCLA professor Saree Makdisi, argues that Israel has made a two-state solution impossible and calls for one-state solutions that enshrines equal rights for both Israelis and Palestinians. The second piece, by Israeli author Benny Morris, claims that Israel wants peace but cannot find acceptance among Arabs and Muslims, which is a fallacy. The proposal put forth last year by Saudi Arabia, did state that all Arab states would recognize Israel and establish a peace treaty, provided Israel recognizes Palestinians. Please take a minute to thank the Los Angeles Times for running Saree Makdisi's opionion and/or to point out the inaccuracies in Benny Morris' piece. Letters can be sent to letters@latimes.com. They should be brief (200 words or less) and should include name, address and phone number (for identification purposes only).
Letters Needed: The Myth of Occupied Gaza
An op-ed in the Washington Post by two lawyers, David B. Rivkin and Lee A. Casey seeks to dispel the 'myth' of an occupied Gaza by claiming that Israel does not exercise effective control over the territory -- and therefore has no legal obligation for the welfare of the residents under international humanitarian law, 'The Myth of Occupied Gaza' (5/10).
Letters of Support Needed: Palestinian Perspective in WTimes, 'Palestine before and after' by Sherri Muzher
Please write to the Washington Times and thank them for printing this important op-ed and Palestinian perspective.
Respectfully commemorating 'The Nakba' with letters and phone calls
Write letters and/or op-eds commemorating the 60th year of 'The Nakba'.
Letters of Support Needed: Newsweek Magazine "Our Dreams are Dead"
Please write letters of support to News Week Magazine regarding an article written by its former editor Linda Bird Francke, titled "Our Dreams are Dead".
Respond to outrageous piece in the Herald Tribune by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan
ACTION REQUESTED: On Aug. 20, an op-ed entitled "Visit to Israel serves to strengthen ties with our vital ally," written by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, appeared in the Sarasota Herald Tribune. Contact the representative personally or write a letter to the newspaper.
Write to support justice, human rights and international law in Palestine
ACTION REQUESTED: Send letters to Houston Chronicle in response to op-ed about discrimination by Palestinian-American businessman.
Thank Manatee Herald-Tribune for printing article about Israel's bypass roads
ACTION REQUESTED: An article entitled "Israel's highway restricts Palestinians' exits" by Steve Erlanger of the New York Times Jerusalem Bureau appeared in the Saturday, Aug. 11, edition of the Manatee Herald-Tribune. The article left no doubt about the nature of segregated roads in the West Bank. Please send a note to the paper thanking them.
Ask judge to hasten Sami Al-Arian's release
ACTION REQUESTED: Dr. Sami Al-Arian remains in jail in Warsaw, Va., where he is being held in contempt of court. The judge may lift the contempt at any time. Write to ask him to so that Dr. Al-Arian may rejoin his family.
Write to Time magazine about Gaza article
ACTION REQUESTED: Thank Time magazine for the honest reporting in their Aug. 2, 2007, piece "A sort of peace in Gaza."
Tell Congress you oppose $30-billion aid package to Israel
ACTION REQUESTED: Recent media reports suggest that the United States and Israel will sign in August a ten-year agreement for $30 billion in U.S. military aid to Israel. Full details of the package have yet to emerge; however, it is reported to include a new generation of F-35 fighter jets, advanced bombs, and laser-guided missiles. Call on the Bush Administration and Congress to sanction Israel by cutting off military aid to it for its continued violations of the U.S. Arms Export Control Act and U.S. Foreign Assistance Acts.
Vote in support of UK boycott of Israeli academic institutions
ACTION REQUESTED: The current issue of the British Medical Journal features a poll and articles supporting and opposing a boycott of Israeli academic institutions proposed by the UK University and Colleges Union congress. Vote in the poll.
Support airing of show about Rachel Corrie on PBS affiliate station
ACTION REQUESTED: On Tues., July 24, a PBS affiliate station in Tacoma, Wash., will air a program about Rachel Corrie on its Full Focus program. To counter the complaints the station is likely to get, PBS needs to hear from those of us who support their focus on Rachel's story and the reality of life in Gaza. Please email PBS and Full Focus. Even a one-sentence email will let them know that there are viewers who appreciate their willingness to air this program.
Thank Rob Lorei of radio WMNF-Tampa for interviewing the Rev. Dr. Stephen Sizer
ACTION REQUESTED: Thank Rob Lorei, news director of radio station WMNF in Tampa, for his informative interview regarding the horrifyingly negative impact of Christian Zionism, with the Honorable Rev. Stephen Sizer.
Help Dr. Mona cross Egyptian border to reach her dying mother
ACTION REQUESTED: Call and write Congress and copy Israeli prime minister Ulmert demanding that Israel and Egypt open the borders to Gaza. This request comes from Dr. Mona El-Farra. El-Farra was trying to return to the Gaza Strip after a 45-day U.S. speaking tour when she got is stuck with 6,000 other Palestinians at the Egyptian border waiting for up to five weeks to get to their homes in Gaza. Twenty-eight of them have died from heat, exhaustion, stress and their own delicate condition.
Sign petition decrying eviction of 13 Palestinian families from their land
ACTION REQUESTED: The state of Israel acknowledges the land in Susya, on the southern edge of the West Bank, is private Palestinian land, yet Israel prevents Palestinians from living on the land. At the same time, settlement outposts in the same region are expanding, many of them also built on private Palestinian land. Will the Minister of Security and the Israeli government now approve the eviction of 13 Palestinian families attempting to continue to live on their land and till their fields – or will it cater to the settlers’ expansionism and explicit wishes to “clear” the area of its original residents? It is also up to you. Please sign this petition and include the comment: "IN SOLIDARITY FROM USA."
ACTION ALERT: Letters Needed: It's the Occupation, Mr. Cordesman
National Anti-Apartheid Tour Coming to City Near You!