Proposals for Action Towards A Global Campaign Against Israel's Brand of Apartheid (E/26/2002) BADIL Resource Center 10 April 2002 For Immediate Release -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In light of the unprecedented Israeli military campaign against the Palestinian people and based on the impressive and worldwide expression of solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for justice and peace, BADIL would like to present to the global solidarity movement a number of initiatives which we consider cornerstones for the future global campaign against Israel's brand of apartheid. BADIL encourages peace and justice activists worldwide to join these and similar initiatives in order to build a broad and sustainable movement, similar to the boycott movement that finally removed the repressive apartheid regime in South Africa. CONSUMER BOYCOTT CAMPAIGN: Boycott Israeli goods and services, including tourism to Israel; advocate and lobby for divestment of foreign funds in Israeli state and private companies and the suspension of military, economic, and cultural cooperation agreements and aid, until Israel will end its occupation of all areas occupied in 1967 and implement international law, all relevant UN resolutions, and respect human rights, including the right of return of Palestinian refugees. Contact: "Boycott Israeli Goods Campaign" Info@BoycottIsraeliGoods.org http://www.boycottisraeligoods.org/ This excellent website includes relevant information in several languages, as well as links to other boycott initiatives worldwide. ISRAEL BOYCOTT IN ACADEMIA AND RESEARCH: Academics and researchers in the United States have launched a campaign aimed at obtaining maximum endorsement among academics in the United States of a letter calling for a boycott of research and cultural links with Israel, until Israel abides by all relevant UN resolutions (UNGA 194, UNSC 242, 338, 1402 etc.); complies with human rights as stated in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the Fourth Geneva Conventions to which Israel is a signatory; and, opens serious peace negotiations with the Palestinians, along the lines proposed in many peace plans, most recently that sponsored by the Arab League. A similar letter endorsed by more than 120 academics and researchers in Europe was published in the British Guardian on Friday, 6 April 2002. For further information contact: zdamuni@comcast.net boycotts@teacher.com Endorsements (including name and academic affiliation) CAMPAIGN "INDICT SHARON NOW": On 15 May the Belgian court hearing the case of the war crimes suit against Israel's prime minister Ariel Sharon is expected to give a ruling which will be crucial for the further progress of the case. The suit was filed by Palestinian and Lebanese survivors of the 1982 massacre of Sabra and Shatila, Beirut. An earlier official Israeli commission of inquiry found that then Minister of Defense, Ariel Sharon, held "personal responsibility" for the massacre but no legal charges followed. Educate and disseminate information about Ariel Sharon's role in Israel's massacres committed against the Palestinian people in the past and at present; Organize, facilitate and participate in fact finding missions aimed at examining possible war crimes committed by the Israeli army in the context of the current military campaign against the Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank, especially in Nablus and the Jenin refugee camp; Advocate and lobby for an end to the impunity of persons accused of war crimes, including Ariel Sharon. For more information and resources, see: International Committee for Justice for the Victims of Sabra and Shatila: Contact: coordinator@indictsharon.net; http://www.indictsharon.net/; Sabra and Shatila Committee, Belgium: http://www.sabra-shatila.be/ Mallat Law Firm (a member of the plaintiff's legal team): http://www.mallat.com/ Petition for International Investigation Committee on Ariel Sharon's crimes against humanity addressed to UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, Mary Robinson. The petition requires 1 million signatures to become effective: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/warcrime/petition.html JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT (ISM) and GRASS-ROOTS INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION (GIPP) IN PALESTINE: Many peace activists have expressed their willingness to join ISM and GISS in Palestine in the coming weeks, and everybody in needed in order to: Provide protection to Palestinian civilians by staying with families in refugee camps, villages, and towns; Accompany ambulances; Send food and aid to families in need; Join non-violent protests; Help document the facts on the ground with cameras, video or by writing reports; and disseminate information widely. Orientation and low-cost accommodation in Jerusalem will be organized Contact: Pcr@p-ol.com and send copy to: georgesq@yahoo.com Hanna Rishmawi (GIPP): 00972-52-437513; Bahiyya (GIPP): 00972-55-378262; George S. Rishmawi: 00972-52-502079; Ghassan Andoni: 00972-52-595319; Sabeel Centre (Cathy): 00972-2-5327136 press release index