All posts for June 2009

CSQ joins campaign to boycott Israel

June 30th, 2009 | Posted in Boycott, Canada, Palestine, Quebec
    Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) opposes Israeli apartheid.

Photo: Protest against the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip at Erez Crossing, Palestine.

Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) a major trade federation in Quebec has voted to support the international campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israeli apartheid, a major step forward for the Palestinian solidarity movement in Quebec.

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Photos: Bil’in solidarity rally in Montreal

June 28th, 2009 | Posted in Boycott, Canada, Palestine, Quebec
    photo essay by Antoine Rouleau

Photo: Antoine Rouleau. Colors of Palestine at Bil’in solidarity protest in Montreal.

A photo essay by photographer Antoine Rouleau capturing the Bil’in solidarity protest outside the Palais de justice de Montréal to coincide with the opening the lawsuit launched by Bil’in village at the Quebec Superior Court against two Montreal registered companies constructing Israeli colonies on Bil’in lands. A decision on the jurisdiction of the Quebec courts to hear Bil’in’s case is expected within the upcoming months, stay tuned for updates and other Palestinian solidarity actions.

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Israel: Twilight Zone

June 27th, 2009 | Posted in Palestine
    Haaretz, June 2009, by Gideon Levy

    Photo: Palestinian grave bombed in the Gaza Strip.

It might be useful to recall who this Tamir is. From his stint as commander of the Golani infantry brigade – when his troops twice shelled the Jenin market (2002), killing several children, including two small brothers – to Operation Autumn Clouds in Gaza (2006) which he commanded, he has been responsible for wanton bloodshed, with at least half the 80 Palestinians killed on his watch being civilians.

Nor should we forget the notorious shelling of the Gaza town of Beit Hanun under his command and responsibility (also in 2006), in which a volley of 11 unnecessary shells were fired at a residential neighborhood, in the wake of which the Israel Defense Forces of course blamed the cannon’s computer chip instead of the division commander, Chico Tamir. We would do well to pause and wonder why an officer like this, with the blood of innocents on his hands, earns such praise from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. But let that pass.

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Bil’in village continues legal battle

June 27th, 2009 | Posted in Boycott, Canada, Palestine, Quebec
    Bil’in village continues battle against Israeli settlements in Quebec courts

    Photo: Valerian Mazataud. Mohamed Khatib from Bil’in, Palestine.

Bil’in village’s legal battle against two Quebec-based companies for constructing Israeli settlements on Palestinian land continues.

After a week of hearings at the Quebec Superior Court, Bil’in’s lawsuit is now being considered by Justice Louis-Paul Cullen. A response from the judge is expected in the upcoming months.

“Bil’in’s case was fully argued, the illegality of Israeli settlements under international and Canadian law was clearly outlined,” outlines Bil’in’s Canadian lawyer Mark Arnold.

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Naomi Klein calls for boycott of Israel

June 26th, 2009 | Posted in Boycott, Canada, Palestine
    Agence France-Presse (AFP), June 26th, 2009.

    Photo: Author Naomi Klein

Bil’in, West Bank — Bestselling author Naomi Klein on Friday took her call for a boycott of Israel to the occupied West Bank village of Bilin, where she witnessed Israeli forces clashing with protesters.

“It’s a boycott of Israeli institutions, it’s a boycott of the Israeli economy,” the Canadian writer told journalists as she joined a weekly demonstration against Israel’s controversial separation wall.

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Que. companies committing war crime

June 26th, 2009 | Posted in Boycott, Canada, Palestine, Quebec
    Montreal Gazette, June 25, 2009, by Sue Montgomery.

Photo: Valerian Mazataud. Palestinian Mohamed Khatib at the Quebec Superior Court.

MONTREAL — Two Canadian companies that are building condominiums for Israeli settlers in the West Bank are committing a war crime, a lawyer representing a tiny Palestinian farming village that is trying to sue the firms by using Canada’s War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity Act argued Thursday.

After three days of hearings in Quebec Superior Court on motions filed by lawyers of Green Park International Inc. and Green Mount International Inc. to have the suit thrown out, lawyer Mark Arnold argued the case should go to trial.

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Photos: Solidarity with Bil’in

June 24th, 2009 | Posted in Boycott, Canada, Prisoners, Quebec
    Photo essay by Valerian Mazataud.

    Photo: Valerian Mazataud. Bil’in vs. Israeli apartheid at Concordia University.

Bil’in village has been a focus for the Palestinian solidarity movement in Canada during the past month, as Mohamed Khatib from Bil’in’s Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements and Emily Schaeffer, an Israeli lawyer representing the village of Bil’in, have recently toured across Canada.

In Montreal hundreds have gathered in solidarity with Bil’in this past week, for a major lecture at Concordia University, the last stop on the cross-Canada tour and for a solidarity demonstration with Bil’in outside the Quebec Superior Court, both events are documented in this photo essay.

Bil’in’s historic lawsuit against Green Park International and Green Mount International, two companies registered in Quebec, began this week at the Quebec Superior Court. Bil’in’s lawsuit is rooted in the fact that the two companies are constructing illegal Israeli colonies on Bil’in’s lands in the West Bank.

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Outcry over Silwan demolition plan

June 23rd, 2009 | Posted in Palestine
    Al Jazeera, June 2009 by Jacky Rowland in Jerusalem.

    Photo: ActiveStills. Palestinian home demolished by Israel in Jerusalem.

The Palestinian village of Silwan clings to a steep hillside facing the southern walls of Jerusalem’s Old City.

In the valley below, Al Bustan neighbourhood stretches out in the shadow of Haram al-Sharif, also known as the Temple Mount. It is a setting rich in meaning for Muslims, Jews and Christians.

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Solidarity at the Quebec Superior Court

June 23rd, 2009 | Posted in Boycott, Canada, Palestine, Quebec

call for court solidarity surrounding the historic lawsuit launched by Bil’in village.

    JUNE 2009: Montreal, Quebec
    Tuesday, June 23, 9h30 – 16h00
    Thursday, June 25, 9h30 – 16h00
    Quebec superior court
    room 16.08
    1 Notre Dame east
    métro Place-d’Armes/Champs-de-Mars

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Canada to consider settlements suit

June 22nd, 2009 | Posted in Boycott, Prisoners, Quebec
    Aljazeera, June 22nd, 2009.

Photo: ActiveStills. Israeli military launches tear-gas on Palestinian protester in Bil’in.

A Canadian court is to consider a lawsuit brought by Palestinians from the West Bank town of Bilin who say two Canadian firms have committed war crimes by assisting in construction of Israeli settlements.

Activists filed the suit against Green Mount International and Green Park International – two Canadian companies contracted to build in the settlement of Modiin Illit, in a Montreal court, where the companies are registered.

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