HolyLandJustice.org

Tue, Apr 24, 2018Mon, Apr 23, 2018

Palestine files complaint against Israel under anti-racism treaty

6720 — Israeli teenagers climb on a tank decorated with flags before Memorial Day last week. (photo: Abir Sultan / EPA)

Complaint with UN claims Israel maintains a “system of discriminatory measures.”

By Oliver Holmes | The Guardian | Apr 23, 2018

“Not only is the purpose of the settlement regime discriminatory in itself, it is further maintained by a system of discriminatory measures, severely depriving Palestinians of their fundamental rights.”

Palestinian diplomats in Geneva have filed a complaint against Israel for what they say are breaches of its obligations under a UN anti-racism treaty, triggering what may be a lengthy and high-profile investigation.

The complaint, handed in by the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Ibrahim Khraishi, to the body that monitors the implementation of the UN convention, accuses Israel of policies and practices that have “the common aim of displacing and replacing the Palestinian people, for the purpose of maintaining a colonial occupation.”

Violations in the occupied territories, which the complaint defined as the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, sought to maintain “a Jewish demographic majority in the entirety of historic Palestine,” claims the 350-page document, of which the Guardian has seen a summary.

Continue reading “Palestine files complaint against Israel under anti-racism treaty”

Tue, Apr 24, 2018Mon, Apr 23, 2018

BDS applauds Natalie Portman’s rejection of the “Jewish Nobel” prize

Natalie Portman at the 2018 Kingdom Day Parade in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jan 15, 2018. (photo: Faye Sadou / MediaPunch / IPX)

The actress said that recent events in Israel have been “extremely distressing” and that she does “not feel comfortable participating in any public events in Israel.”

By Whitney Webb | Mint Press News | Apr 21, 2018

“After decades of egregious human rights violations against Palestinians, Israel’s recent massacre of peaceful protesters in Gaza has made its brand so toxic that even well-known Israeli-American cultural figures, like Natalie Portman, now refuse to blatantly whitewash, or art-wash, Israeli crimes and apartheid policies.”
— Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) statement

In an unexpected rebuke, Israeli-born actress Natalie Portman has declined to attend the June award ceremony for the Genesis Prize, sometimes nicknamed the “Jewish Nobel,” citing recent and “distressing” events in Israel. Portman, in declining to receive the prize, will still receive $2 million in prize money, which she previously announced she would be donating to programs focused on advancing gender equality. Her mention of “distressing” events in Israel is an apparent reference to the brutal crackdown and murder of unarmed Palestinian protesters in Gaza by Israeli soldiers.

Palestinians in Gaza have been participating in the “March of Great Return” since March 30. The march is aimed at securing the right of exiled Palestinians to return to historical Palestine. The protests have been widely attended — attracting thousands of participants — but have been targeted by the Israeli military, which has opened fire on the protesters numerous times, killing at least 35, including journalists, and wounding nearly 2,000 people.

Israel’s government has come under fire for its repression of the protests, but Israel has defended the actions of its soldiers, claiming that the protesters presented a threat to the border wall. However, many Jews — including Israelis — have been critical of Israel’s response and lack of concern regarding the deaths of protesters.

Continue reading “BDS applauds Natalie Portman’s rejection of the “Jewish Nobel” prize”

Mon, Apr 23, 2018Mon, Apr 23, 2018

France requests that Israel stop banning its elected officials

Gennevilliers Mayor Leclerc Patrice. (photo: Twitter)

Israel denied entry to the mayor of a Paris suburb this week because he is believed to have supported BDS.

By Noa Landau | Haaretz | Apr 17, 2018

“The decision not to let him into the country was made for a series of reasons in connection to his activity in the BDS movement and his promotion of boycotts against Israel.”
— Israeli Strategic Affairs Ministry statement

France requested that elected officials be permitted to enter Israel and the Palestinian territories, its Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, a day after Israel prevented the mayor of a Paris suburb from entering because of his support for the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.

A spokesperson for the ministry said Patrice Leclerc’s planned visit was part of attempts to supervise implementation of international programs in the Palestinian territories.

Israel’s Interior Ministry said that Leclerc, who is mayor of Gennevilliers, was blocked from entering Israel through Jordan, while the French ministry said Tuesday that he was detained for several hours on the Israel-Jordan border.

Continue reading “France requests that Israel stop banning its elected officials”

Mon, Apr 23, 2018Sun, Mar 11, 2018

Inspiring Hope: The Kids4Peace Seattle Annual Benefit (Tomorrow)

Please join our brothers and sisters at Join Kids4Peace Seattle for their fifth annual spring celebration!


	Date:	Tuesday, Apr 24, 2017
	Time:	7:00 – 8:30 pm
	Location:	Temple De Hirsch Sinai 1441 16^th Ave Seattle, WA 98122
	Information:	Event information here → Email questions here →
	Tickets:	$50 per person Register here →

Event Details

Help us recognize the many successes of the past year as we also look forward with excitement to upcoming programs. You will hear directly from youth involved in Kids4Peace and get updates on our work in the US and Jerusalem.

Tickets are $50 per person; there will be an opportunity to make an additional pledge of support at the event. The ticket price is fully tax-deductible, and all donations go directly to support the work of Kids4Peace as we develop a new generation of peace leaders.

Wine and coffee will be served, along with a delicious dessert buffet. Continue reading “Inspiring Hope: The Kids4Peace Seattle Annual Benefit (Tomorrow)”

Sun, Apr 22, 2018Fri, Apr 20, 2018

State Department strikes “Occupied Territories” from human rights report

Acting secretary of state John Sullivan speaks at the release of the 2017 human rights report Friday at the State Department. (photo: Win Mcnamee / Getty Images)

Instead, this year’s report refers to “Israel, Golan Heights, West Bank and Gaza.”

By Carol Morello | The Washington Post | Apr 20, 2018

“[Israel] did maintain generally that all incidents [of alleged abuse] were thoroughly investigated and parties held accountable, as appropriate, according to due process of law.”
— 2017 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

The State Department’s annual human rights report released Friday drops references to reproductive rights for women and stops using the phrase “Occupied Territories” to describe Israel’s presence in Gaza and the West Bank.

The report, which covers 2017, focuses less on societal attitudes and discrimination than in previous years and more on governmental actions that encourage or reward violence and bigotry. It is the first human rights report to reflect the Trump administration’s views and priorities.

Previous reports included a lengthy section devoted to Israel and the Occupied Territories. Last year’s report mentioned human rights problems and said the Israeli government took “some steps” to punish officials who committed abuses.

This year, the section is titled “Israel, Golan Heights, West Bank and Gaza.” The introduction to it notes that the State Department sought an Israeli response to allegations of abuse and that Israel “did maintain generally that all incidents were thoroughly investigated and parties held accountable, as appropriate, according to due process of law.”

Continue reading “State Department strikes “Occupied Territories” from human rights report”

Sat, Apr 21, 2018Fri, Apr 20, 2018

Natalie Portman refuses to visit Israel to receive the Genesis Prize

Actress Natalie Portman at the premiere “Annihilation,” Feb 13, 2018. (photo: Albert Ortega / Getty Images)

The Israel-born actress says she is “uncomfortable with recent events.”

By Dave Goldiner | Forward | Apr 19, 2018

“Natalie Portman’s cancellation should be a warning sign. She’s totally one of us, identifies with her Jewishness and Israeliness. She’s expressing the voices of many in US Jewry, and particularly those of the younger generation.”
— Rachel Azaria, Kulanu Party member of Knesset

Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman has refused to travel for Israel to accept a $2 million award known as the “Jewish Nobel” because she is “uncomfortable with recent events” there, apparently referring to the deadly violence directed against Palestinian protesters in Gaza.

“She cannot in good conscience move forward with the ceremony,” a statement from the Hollywood superstar said.

The Genesis Prize quickly announced it was canceling its June prize ceremony for Portman saying it was “saddened” at her decision, which it said could “politicize” the award, which has previously gone to Michael Bloomberg, Itzhak Perlman and Michael Douglas. Continue reading “Natalie Portman refuses to visit Israel to receive the Genesis Prize”

Sat, Apr 21, 2018Sun, Mar 11, 2018

Film: Disturbing the Peace (Next Week)

disturbing-the-peace-2

Pushing for Change: Mideast Focus Ministry Film Series V

“Disturbing the Peace” is a story of the human potential unleashed when we stop participating in a story that no longer serves us, and with the power of our convictions, risk and push to actions that create new possibilities. This film follows former enemy combatants who have joined together to challenge the status quo and say “Enough.”


	Date:	Friday, Apr 27, 2018
	Time:	7:00 – 9:00 pm
	Location:	Bloedel Hall St. Mark’s Cathedral 1245 10th Ave E Seattle, WA 98102
	Information:	Event website
	Admission:	Free

Event Details

Our concern is to help balance the limited and confusing media coverage of the Holy Land. We use compelling films as an entry point for reflection and discussion. As Christians, we respond to Christ’s call to seek justice and love the oppressed. As Americans, we ask: Can we reconcile this calling with our government’s massive financial support of Israeli military operations? We hope the time will come when Jews, Muslims and Christians will again come together in harmony in the Holy Land.

In this series, we see how people pushed to bring about a safe country for the Jewish people, and how today others are still push- ing for safety and change. Do our efforts for change lead to peace and justice . . . or not?

More information here →

Thu, Apr 19, 2018Fri, Mar 9, 2018

Film: Junction 48 (Tomorrow)

2017-03-09-junction

Pushing for Change: Mideast Focus Ministry Film Series V

This Israeli narrative film gives us an Arab’s eye view of contemporary life in Israel. It tells the story of an emerging Palestinian Rap Artist who has issues with his family and confrontations with rival Israeli rappers. Fraught with complexities and confusions in Lyd (Lod) — we get a sense of how diffcult it is to get a footing to push for change.


	Date:	Friday, Apr 20, 2018
	Time:	7:00 – 9:00 pm
	Location:	Bloedel Hall St. Mark’s Cathedral 1245 10th Ave E Seattle, WA 98102
	Information:	Event website
	Admission:	Free

Event Details

More information here →

Wed, Apr 18, 2018Wed, Apr 18, 2018

John Bolton’s extremism is perfectly aligned with the most bellicose Israeli policies

John Bolton, right, speaks to Dan Gillerman, Israeli Ambassador to the UN, prior to a Security Council meeting in 2006. (photo: Mary Altaffer / AP)

Whether he consciously puts Israel’s interests first or whether he believes they are identical to US interests doesn’t really matter — the outcome is the same.

By Mairav Zonszein | The Nation | Apr 13, 2018

“[Bolton is] motivated more by power and opportunity — but he’s got ideology in his back pocket. Part of that ideology is that a good lie, told enough times, will persuade enough people to do what you want them to do. It’s perfectly fine, though it’s a lie, because the end justifies the means.”
— Former Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, Lawrence Wilkerson

In an ominous coincidence of timing, John Bolton assumed his role as national-security adviser on Monday, right as news broke of an air strike on a military airport in Syria operated by Iran, widely assumed to be carried out by Israel, and just two days after 70 Syrians died and hundreds more were wounded in an apparent chemical attack by the Assad regime in Douma. Exchanges of blame and threats between Russia, Iran, Israel, and the White House have overshadowed the consternation and horror with which many in Washington have reacted to Bolton’s appointment.

Representative Brendan Boyle (D-PA) called Bolton a “dangerous radical” who pushes “fringe conspiracy theories”; Senator Bernie Sanders said his appointment “should scare everyone”; and the former chief White House ethics lawyer under George W. Bush, Richard Painter, tweeted that “John Bolton was by far the most dangerous man we had in the entire eight years of the Bush Administration.” In The New Yorker, Robin Wright describes Bolton as “arguably the most abrasive American diplomat of the twenty-first century,” and an opinion piece in The Washington Post calls him the second-most-dangerous man in America.

Continue reading “John Bolton’s extremism is perfectly aligned with the most bellicose Israeli policies”

Tue, Apr 17, 2018Sun, Mar 11, 2018

Inspiring Hope: The Kids4Peace Seattle Annual Benefit (Next Week)

Please join our brothers and sisters at Join Kids4Peace Seattle for their fifth annual spring celebration!


	Date:	Tuesday, Apr 24, 2017
	Time:	7:00 – 8:30 pm
	Location:	Temple De Hirsch Sinai 1441 16^th Ave Seattle, WA 98122
	Information:	Event information here → Email questions here →
	Tickets:	$50 per person Register here →

Event Details

Wine and coffee will be served, along with a delicious dessert buffet. Continue reading “Inspiring Hope: The Kids4Peace Seattle Annual Benefit (Next Week)”