1-ISM ACTIVIST ABDUCTED AND BEATEN TO BE DEPORTED TO CANADA AT 12:40 AM
2-Update on Jaggie's Deportation
3-The Canadian Foreign Affairs Department wont object to Israel
beating Canadian Jaggi Singh.
4-Peace Mission to Palestine Fundraising Banquet
5-prayer request- James Delaplain
6-The Dilemma of Israeli Arabs
note from Ghassan Andoni We all Love you and Miss you Jaggie. I had the chance to work closely with Jaggie while he was in Palestine. an amazing peace activist full of energy and hope. his determination was inspirng to us all. I am totaly outraged that a hand can be layed on such a wonderful and peaceful man. Jaggie, we can only assure you that your presence with us made us stronger, more hopeful, and full of energy and determenation to fight for peace and justice. even if your government wont protest against the dirty hands of the gangesters gangesters who abducted you, we assure you that peace and justice, which you dedicated your life for will prevaile and Palestine will soon be free. =================================================================== 1-ISM ACTIVIST ABDUCTED AND BEATEN TO BE DEPORTED TO CANADA AT 12:40 AM
INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT (ISM) For Immediate Release January 9, 2003
Contacts: Janice 972 52 360 241 Shamai Leibovitch 972 64 414 505 or 972 3 670 4170
Flight info:
Air Canada flight 887 Departs Ben Gurion at 12:40 AM, January 10th Arrives in Toronto at 6:10 AM, January 10th
[Jerusalem] - On January 8, 2003, at 6 PM, Jaggi Singh, Canadian citizen and ISM activist, went to visit a friend in West Jerusalem. When he arrived at the doorstep, he was ambushed, forced into an unmarked vehicle, and taken to the Russian Compound in Jerusalem by three plainclothes Israeli secret service agents.
Jaggi Singh reports having been beaten by the Israelis as they were transporting him to the Russian Compound. An officer by the name of Aaron slapped his face several times and pulled his hair in an attempt to interrogate him. Jaggi Singh's lawyer, Shamai Leibovitch, was not allowed to talk with or visit him at Russian Compound. On January 9, 2003, Jaggi Singh was transferred to Maasiyahu Prison in Ramle.
Jaggi was to be deported to Canada for visa violations. The Canadian Consulate visited him in prison and provided laisse passé documents for his return to Canada. Jaggi is now at Ben Gurion airport waiting for his 12:40 AM flight to Canada.
Jaggi arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on December 14th and was initially refused entry by Israeli officials for `security reasons'. His attorney took his case to court and Jaggi was eventually given a one week visa with the condition that he not enter the occupied territories.
Jaggi is from Montreal, Canada and traveled to the occupied territories to write about the realities of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Jaggi is well known in Canada and abroad for speaking out against injustice in the many forms it takes. ===============================================================2-Update on Jaggie's Deportation
just got of the phone to jaggie. He is currently at the airport and will be sent out on the flight tonight although a delay is always possible.
Regarding his arrest, he said that from where the three undercovers were positioned it was clear that they had been staking out my house.
he said that after he was driven off, he was taken to the Russian Compound, and was interrogated by about 10 different people over the course of his "stay". He also spent some time at the ministry of the interior. The 3 undercovers who grabbed him were part of an immigration snatch squad who's job it is to grab people so they can be deported.
At one point during his interrogation, one of the higher ranking officers came into his cell and beat him up. He was chocked, slapped and knocked around, his hair pulled etc. etc. He says he is okay now, and sounded it, but i gather the experience was very scary at the time He was asked what he was doing here, who he met with and blah blah blah. He had refused to answer questions until he could contact a lawyer (which he was not allowed to do).
He also claims that he intended to take me out for dinner before he was nabbed, which is really convenient for him. just thought you would want to know, jonathan ================================================================3-The Canadian Foreign Affairs Department wont object to Israel beating Canadian Jaggi Singh.
http://www.montrealmuslimnews.net/scottfa.htm
January 9, 2003 - By Scott Weinstein <scottweinstein@netzero.net> Montreal International Solidarity Movement Below are the transcripts of two phone conversations about Jaggi Singh this afternoon with the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa. We tried to call their Embassy in Tel Aviv, but they are closed, and our calls got re- routed back to Ottawa.
The Canadian Foreign Affairs Department doesn't appear to object to the Israelis beating Canadian Jaggi Singh who visited the Palestinian territories in defiance of the Israeli authorities. The following transcripts clearly indicate Canada is avoiding taking any meaningful action to protect or even object to the Israeli about Singh's beating by his Israeli captors.
We in the Montreal International Solidarity Movement strongly denounce this complicity by the Canadian authorities with illegal and politically motivated abuses by the Israelis of a Canadian who has every legal right to visit the Palestinian territories.
If Canada does not officially recognize Israel's illegal occupation of the territories, then Canada must also take clear diplomatic action to ensure that Palestinians are able to receive Canadian visitors - despite what the Israeli occupying forces determine. Canada must object to any Israel action that prevents or punishes a Canadian from visiting the Palestinian territories.
Canada's practice of accepting Israel's illegal treatment of Mr. Singh, essentially negates it's official policy of non recognition of Israel's occupation, by granting it legitimacy.
This is a shameful period for Canada. Canada's complicity with Israel's beating and imprisonment of Jaggi Singh demonstrates to the world that Canada is a pushover - allowing it's foreign policies and its citizens to be violated by other nations.
We just received word from Jaggi that he is being deported back to Canada this afternoon.
It is still important that you call the Canadian Foreign Affairs Department and STRONGLY protest their lack of protection to both Jaggi, and their abandonment of the official Canadian policy of not recognizing Israel's illegal occupation and control of the Palestinian territories.
Solidarity, Scott Weinstein member: Montreal International Solidarity Movement ===============================================================4-Peace Mission to Palestine Fundraising Banquet
On January 18, 2003 – 6:30pm – at the Heritage Manor in Dearborn, Michigan the International Solidarity Movement will be holding the Peace Mission to Palestine Fundraising Banquet. Get Tickets Now!! Pick them up at the ADC-Dearborn office or call Danielle at 734/994-5479 - more info below
· Huwaida Araff and Adam Shapiro of the ISM will talk & Thom Saffold will show a video of ISM actions.
The ISM is using non-violent direct actions to stand up to the Israeli occupation and help the Palestinians in their struggle for freedom. Volunteers from all over the world travel to Palestine; are placed in Palestinian homes to live and experience daily life under occupation. The Israeli government needs to know that the world is watching, documenting and videotaping their crimes. Please help the ISM continue its great work.
Some of these actions include protecting homes from demolition, dismantling roadblocks and checkpoints, protecting civilians during invasions, riding in ambulances to increase patient safety, delivering food and medicine to people who are imprisoned in their homes, photographing and documenting violations of International Law, befriending journalists and encouraging them to devote more air time to the crisis in Palestine and all these actions show the Israeli government and the Israeli people that people from all over the world are coming and seeing the IDF War Crimes and we will not be silenced and we will not buy into their propaganda.
These actions are essential because they give Palestinians the opportunity to resist non-violently. ISM actions also give moral support to a people who feel largely ignored by the International community. This Banquet will help fund an ISM peace delegation that will travel to Palestine in Feb. Upon the ISM activists return, we will give speeches and tell people what life is like under occupation I ask you today, to sponsor this great movement, The ISM. One day…… justice, human rights, dignity and freedom will be part of a Palestinian state. Until then we are helping people on the ground and we are making a difference and will continue to do so with your help.
If you can't come please donate all you can! Dinner tickets are a $40 donation Gold Sponsor- $500-$999 donation gets table and name in flyer Platinum Sponsor- $1000+ donation gets table, ad in flyer & ISM video We have a fundraising goal of $50,000. Please help us meet it. Please make checks out to "The Jerusalem Fund" and send them to "ISM Banquet" c/o ADC office-Danielle - 13530 Michigan Ave – Suite 228 – Dearborn, MI, 48126 – Tickets can be picked up at the ADC office or mailed to you. For more information contact Danielle Smith at daniellecs@excite.com 0r leave a message for Danielle at the ADC office (313)581-1201 For info on the ISM ---- website http://www.palsolidarity.org ===========================================================5-prayer request- James Delaplain
Story printed in the El Campo Leader-News on Jan. 1, 2003
By CHRIS BARBEE
Urgent: James Delaplain, brother of Don Delaplain, among those attacked by Israeli settlers near Nablus. Prayers needed and greatly appreciated. -Gloria Delaplain
The above prayer request was sent out in late October on the e-mail prayer chain overseen by members of First United Methodist Church of El Campo, which was pastored for eight years by the Rev. Don Delaplain. Delaplain retired from FUMC-EC in June 1996, and as El Campo Hospice chaplain in May 2002, but continues to fill pulpits in the area, most recently in Garwood and Eagle Lake.
He and his wife, Gloria, live in El Campo. On Sunday, Oct. 27, James Delaplain, age 74, a retired professor of English at the University of Wisconsin at River Falls, was one of five people injured by Israeli settlers while trying to protect Palestinian olive growers.
He was repeatedly hit in the face and head with rifle butts, which left a wound under his left eye and massive swelling. He was kicked in the back and both the right and left rib cage, leaving him with broken ribs and a collapsed lung. He had had pneumonia only two weeks before, and had been coughing since, so the beating, especially in the rib cage, left him in a weakened state.
Delaplain returned home to River Falls, Wis. soon after the beating, but according to his brother Don, hopes to return to Palestine when physically able to do so. James last week joined a class action lawsuit in the U.S. against the Israeli government charging it with not protecting American citizens in Israel and the occupied areas.
Also injured while protecting the olive harvesters were peace activists from Israel, Ireland, Sweden and an American-British citizen.
A statement issued by the International Solidarity Movement peace group said in addition to Delaplainıs injuries, which occurred with Israeli soldiers watching, Mary Hughes-Thompson, 68, the dual American-British citizen, may have had both arms broken. Also, her passport was stolen, and the bag of olives she had was stolen.
President George W. Bush was written about the incident, and the U.S. State Department was asked to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the assault by James Delaplainıs Wisconsin congressman, Rep. Ron Kind.
On Oct. 6 one young Palestinian man was reportedly shot to death in his olive field, but this was apparently the first time for settlers to attack internationals in the area.
According to a news account, the five people were injured when settlers from Itamar attacked peace activists and Palestinian olive-pickers from the nearby village of Yinon. In what appeared to be a response to a suicide bombing in Ariel at a gas station that resulted in four deaths (including the bomber) and 18 injuries, a group of armed settlers left the settlement of Itamar and headed toward an olive grove, where Palestinian residents, aided by peace activists, were harvesting the crop of olives.
The settlers, numbering between five and seven, pelted the olive-pickers and activists with stones, and beat them using their guns. The injured were taken to a private clinic in the nearby village of Akraba. A Palestinian couple and their two children and four of the five peace activists were treated in a hospital for injuries.
Rabbi Arik Ascherman, executive director of Rabbis for Human Rights, said the settlers had ³exploited² the Ariel blast as a pretext to resume violence to ruin Yinonıs farmers financially and drive them out. Israeli security forces reportedly did not arrive on the scene to investigate. The activists and the settlers both filed complaints against each other, but a preliminary police investigation suggested the olive pickers were within the boundaries of the grove, in an area where picking is permitted.
The week prior to the incident, dozens of settlers reportedly attacked West Bank villagers and prevented them from picking their olives by firing guns in the air and toward the Palestinians and dozens of peace activists who had thronged to support them.
Lissa Caldwell, of Waynesville, N.C., wrote to President Bush about the assault on Delaplain.
...³This brave man has done what too few in our government are willing to do - take a real stand for truth, justice and peace. ³As an American citizen who was very nearly shot and killed in an unprovoked attack by the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) at the Bethlehem checkpoint in March, I would like to know what the American government is doing to protect American citizens from attacks by the Israeli army and its citizens. The state of Israel is suppose to be our great ally, yet it is the only country in the world where I have felt real fear for my personal safety,² she wrote in part.
On Nov. 1, in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wisconsin) called for the immediate investigation of the attack. ³...I request that U.S. officials bring this situation to the attention of Israeli leaders and law enforcement,² wrote Kind. ³The alleged settlers that assaulted Mr. Delaplain and the other victims in this situation must be held accountable for their actions.²
The Rev. Don Delaplain said he is saddened by the state of affairs in the Holy Land. ³Itıs a sad story for us to know there are tanks surrounding the church where Jesus was supposedly born. It is not open to us. Itıs sad for me to know that the land where Jesus was born, grew up and taught has come to this today,² he said.
He said there is hope in the fact that many Jewish Israelis are standing side-by-side with non-militant Palestinians, including Christian Palestinians, in trying to resolve the differences so they all can live in peace.
-Story compiled from various e-mails. ================================================================6-The Dilemma of Israeli Arabs
Los Angeles Times January 8, 2003
As long as the state remains 'Jewish in essence,' they cannot be equal citizens.
By Azmi Bishara
JERUSALEM -- The cornerstone of liberal democracy is citizenship, not ethnicity, religion or race -- even that of the majority -- a fact the civil rights movement made evident in the United States. But in Israel, where bitter arguments still rage over the question "Who is a Jew?" the question "Who is a citizen?" has yet to be seriously addressed.
Israel's Arab citizens, who make up nearly 20% of the population, are effectively prohibited from participating in this debate. In fact, thanks to a decision last week by the Israeli Central Elections Committee, even Arab citizens who serve in the parliament, or Knesset, cannot run for reelection Jan. 28 if we dare to suggest that Israel should become a state for all its citizens.
I am an Arab citizen of Israel and have been a member of the Knesset for six years. Over the last year and a half, Israel's attorney general has indicted me for voicing political opinions, lobbied to have my parliamentary immunity revoked and, most recently, requested disqualification of the party I represent from participating in the upcoming elections. In agreeing, the Central Elections Committee cited an amendment to the elections law that says that no party or candidate can challenge the Jewish and democratic nature of Israel. The Israeli Supreme Court is scheduled to rule Thursday on our appeal.
Israeli Supreme Court Justice Menachem Elon once said, "Israel is Jewish in essence and democratic in character." How can a state that defines itself as essentially Jewish also characterize itself as a democracy when it has a sizable non-Jewish minority? This is a question that many Israeli liberals and their supporters abroad do not like to ask. An honest liberal would say that Israel should be democratic in essence and Jewish in character, given that it has a Jewish majority that defines itself in national terms.
Having lost our Palestinian homeland in 1948, we Arabs became a minority in our own country and were granted citizenship, which we did not choose, in a state that does not define itself as ours but says it is the state of the Jewish people. If we demand that the citizenship we received in place of our homeland be full citizenship, we are accused of "threatening the Jewishness of the state."
Increasingly, Arabs and Jews have come to understand that Israel cannot separate religion from state or grant full equality to its non-Jewish citizens unless it defines itself as the state of all its citizens. And just as we recognize the Jewish majority's right to self-determination despite our disagreement over the historical processes that brought it about, we demand that the Palestinian people receive similar recognition: self-determination in the part of their homeland occupied by Israel since 1967, namely the West Bank and Gaza.
One need not be Arab to identify with the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation. Resisting occupation is a legitimate, internationally recognized right, which many Jewish and Arab members of the Knesset before me have affirmed from the podium of the occupying state's parliament without it being considered "support for terror." It is our civic and moral duty to oppose violence against civilians, even in an anti-occupation struggle. Still, it is not our place to dictate to the Palestinians how to conduct their struggle against that occupation, when what is needed is an end to the occupation itself.
Since we raised the demand that Israel become a citizens' state, the Israeli establishment has regarded the Arab population with increased suspicion. Many interpret the idea as opposition to the Jewish character of the state or as a cover for an "Arab nationalism" bent on destroying Israel "from within." They cannot fathom that one might be, simply, both Arab and democrat. And maybe that's the real threat: demanding a citizens' state challenges Israel's regional monopoly on "democracy."
Since the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, an Israeli prime minister who dared to rely on Arab votes to form a parliamentary majority, the Israeli right began a systematic campaign to delegitimize the Arab vote. They do not include Arab parties in their coalitions, despite the fact that we are natural allies on peacemaking. The official consensus, it is clear, does not include the Arab minority. They insist that any political settlement be based on a "Jewish majority."
This is how the disenfranchisement of Arabs started, and, like any racist incitement against minorities in a time of political crisis, it developed a dynamic all its own.
The biggest threat to Israeli democracy is the racist and violent political culture engendered by the occupation itself. Disqualifying those of us who are struggling to democratize Israel from participating in free and fair elections means barring a liberal democratic worldview that posits that a state should serve and stand for all of its citizens equally.
Azmi Bishara is a member of the Knesset from the Balad Party.
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