The new law will prohibit government bodies from supporting BDS in any fashion, which would also prevent them from employing or working with anyone who supports boycotting the Israeli state. The Palestinian BDS National Committee: "Supporters of freedom of expression, human rights and international law should oppose the UK government's efforts to repress our peaceful movement for freedom, justice and equality."
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign regards the defeat of this legislation as a priority. The campaign will be announced shortly.
Johnson to ban public bodies from running anti-Israel boycotts.
Head of UK Israel Lobby Group Announces Gov't Plan To Ban Boycotting Israel.
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Film show: 'From Balfour to Banksy'
Great to see a full house at the Pig's Palace. The film From Balfour to Banksy examined Britain's role in the creation of the Israeli state, its promises to safeguard the rights of the Palestinians and its betrayal since the majority of Palestinians are living under military occupation without civil rights or freedoms.
We were pleased to have Miranda Pinch, the film's producer, leading the Q&A. There was a wide range of questions - several of the questions were: 'what can we do?'
Our write-up of the film and the Q&A.
Hands Up Project
As part of the discussion about 'what can we do?' Adrian from the Hands Up Project explained how children in Gaza have been able to converse with their counterparts throughout the world. The local PSC supports this project: one local family is in the process of arranging a link up between school children in Gaza and East Sussex. 2 articles in the Hastings Online Times about this project:
Hands Up project puts young Palestinians in touch with the outside world.
My trip with the children of the Hands Up Project.
More information at the Hands Up website.
BBC bias
During the discussion, there was mention of the fighting fund for Justin Schlosberg's legal challenge to BBC Bias. This refers to the Panorama film about "the anti-Semitism crisis gripping Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party." The programme gave voice to pro-Israel critics of the party. The first person to be interviewed (who was unnamed) once worked at the Israeli embassy in London! To say that the film was one-sided is putting it mildly. Challenge BBC Bias crowdfunder.
Jonathan Cook's review of the Panorama 'hatchet job.'
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The IHRA defintion of anti-semitism
The UK government has stated that it will put pressure on councils to adopt the controversial IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definition of anti-semitism. The use of this definition has shut down Palestinian support activities; and is used as a weapon to scare opponents of Israel from voicing their criticism. Kenneth Stern, who drafted the IHRA definition, has criticised its use, and warned of its "chilling effect" on free speech. Controversial 'anti-Semitism code' being 'weaponised' by pro-Israel groups, warns drafter.
An example of how the IHRA has been used to shut down Palestinian solidarity work: Anti-Semitism definition behind secret ban on aid to Palestinian children.
40 Jewish Groups Worldwide Oppose Equating Antisemitism With Criticism Of Israel.
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An Evening with Muhsin Kilby
Muhsin Kilby was a noted photographer. His photos have been published in numerous papers and magazines including the Guardian, Independent, Telegraph and Times. Sadly he died early this month. One of our supporters sent us this link to an interview where spoke about his life long travels to Palestine, with some of his photographs of the holy Land and the changes he has witnessed. An Evening with Muhsin Kilby - My Palestine.
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2020 Programme
These are some of the events we have planned for 2020. We'll publish more details later on. From Gaza With Love fundraiser 29 March; meeting with Ghada Kharmi 4 April; Come Dine for Palestine September; meeting with Ilan Pappé November.
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Palestine Justice Campaign
Legal action taken out in a Dutch court against two Israeli military commanders for the killing of 6 family members from 3 generations, during the carnage inflicted by the Israeli war machine on the people of Gaza during the summer of 2014. Crowdfunder.
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News from and about the occupation:
Israel Is Finally Being Investigated for War Crimes.
More than 70 Palestinians have died after torture in Israeli custody since 1967.
Remembering Hava Keller, a pioneer in the anti-occupation struggle.
Haaretz (print page due to paywall): Israeli confiscations, demolitions of Palestinian homes up 45 percent in 2019, UN figures show
Israel opens rainwater dams floods Gaza farmlands.
Israeli ministry paying for anti-BDS propaganda in major news outlets.
'The last generation': How occupation is driving Christians out of Palestine.
UK drops trial against Israeli arms factory protesters (Instro/Elbit in Kent).
Abby Martin Blocked From Speaking at Georgia Southern for Refusing to Sign Pro-Israel Loyalty Oath.
German crackdown on Palestine defenders prompts UN warning.
A third of Israeli youth do not enlist in IDF.
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Saturday information stalls - in Hastings and Rye.
Hastings
Our weekly information stalls are in the Hastings town centre (weather permitting).
Saturday 12.00 - 14.00
Rye
We run stalls on the cobbles at the top of Conduit Hill, where it meets the High Street. 11 - 1 pm. For information about our next stall (or for anyone in the Rye area who wants to help out), please
email.Please come along to either (or both!) of our stalls to say hello and support us: any amount of time is appreciated.
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Hastings and Rye PSC online membership and donations
Becoming a member of Hastings and Rye PSC is an important way of supporting our work.The annual subscription is £10 waged, £5 unwaged. We now have an
online membership payment form. It can also be used to renew membership. The work of Hastings & Rye Palestine Solidarity could not continue without the generous donations from members of the public. If you would like to support our work without becoming a member please visit our shop page here and see the right hand column:
Donate to Hastings & Rye PSC.
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Recent Hastings PSC newsletters:
27 December 20196 December 20191 December 2019
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