While Occupation and blockade are business as usual for Israel, there should be no business with Israel

In Occupied Palestine

Zionism in practice

Israel’s Daily Toll on Palestinian Life, Limb, Liberty and Property

(Compiled by Leslie Bravery, Palestine Human Rights Campaign POB 56150, Dominion Rd, Auckland, New Zealand www.palestine.org.nz)

Greetings to all! The PMG NAD sitreps are still not updated since last week and so to keep the news flowing, here already is the second IOP Report for the month of January:

Petition for an arms embargo on Israel

Fried Electric switched off!

Burst SodaStream’s Bubble

Recent news updates:

War Against The People Of Palestine. Video. The US is complicit in these vicious crimes by our direct financial support and by our silence. Posted 5 January 2013.

Qalqilya flooding exacerbated by annexation Wall. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=553955

Swine 'flu death toll rises to 14 in West Bank. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=553774

Israeli undercover unit takes prisoner six youths in East Jerusalem.

Settler terrorists open fire in Nablus village. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=553638

7-year-old killed by abandoned Israeli Army ordnance in Gaza – another child injured.

In the Gaza Strip children bear psychological scars of conflict.

Denying Palestinian rights is the core issue in the Israeli Elections.

VIDEO | Israeli Occupation Spraying waste-water on citizens' houses in Al-Nabi Saleh village. 4 January 2013. The Israeli Occupation is spraying waste-water on houses in Al-Nabi Saleh. The Map of the 'Greater Israel'� even is hammered on the currency: All facts at Storify continuously updated.

VIDEO | 'State of Palestine' torn in two by Gaza and West Bank policies.

VIDEO | Israeli forces evict 500 Palestinians from their homes in West Bank.

VIDEO | Israeli settlers attack Palestinian village in West Bank, 5 January 2013.

PHOTOS | Settlers smashing vehicle . . . .

PHOTOS | Settlers attack farmers in Jaloud – 2January 2013

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Petition to UK Prime Minister to impose an arms embargo on Israel. 7919 members. Join the movement: Join the cause

A petition for an arms embargo on Israel

Britain bears a grave responsibility for the dispossession and present plight of the Palestinian people. Ever since the Balfour Declaration and the mounting injustices heaped upon them, the Palestinian people have been treated with contempt, their objections to partition of their homeland ignored and their voice disregarded. Israel has been recognised by the United Nations, the International Court of Justice and the Red Cross as responsible for a variety of inhuman and illegal acts. These include imprisonment of children, house demolitions, population transfers and gross violations of UN resolutions.

Western governments have deplored Israel's actions. For example, in a statement on 24 December 2012, the UK Minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt, referred to the Geneva Conventions, with the implication that settlement expansion is considered a war crime under international law. In his statement Burt said that both he and Foreign Secretary William Hague had expressed “condemnation and deep disappointment” at the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee’s approval of 1500 housing units in Ramat Shlomo. They also denounced recently-announced plans for additional construction in the Givat Hamatos and Gilo neighbourhoods, which are beyond the Green Line. Burt said, “These are further profoundly provocative actions that run contrary to the Fourth Geneva Convention.” Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states that an occupying power “shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.”

Having placed the Palestinian people at the mercy of a nuclear-armed power that refuses to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or co-operate with the IAEA, Britain is morally responsible for the security and human rights of Palestinians who are being forced to live under belligerent military occupation. Britain's determined support for an arms embargo is therefore not only urgently required – it is also well overdue. – Leslie Bravery.

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Fried Electric switched off!

On 3 January 2013, an Israeli company based in Haifa that specialises in laboratory equipment sent the following email message to New Zealand peace activist, Jim Gladwin:

Subject: Fried Electric Produce laboratory equipment for a variety of market sectors

Dear Distributor

Fried Electric is a well established company located in the Northern city of Haifa, Israel, with over 40 years of experience in the design and manufacture of laboratory equipment. we specialize in the design of Magnetic Stirrers, Hotplates, Immersion Thermostats / Circulators and Thermostatic Water Baths, all with proven performance and sustainability. By controlling the entire production process from design to manufacture we guarantee that products are of highest standard and at competitive prices.

We produce laboratory equipment for a variety of market sectors. These include major research institutes (such as the Weizmann Institute of Science, and the Technion, the Israeli Institute of Technology), hospitals, food and pharmaceutical industry. The low cost of the products makes them ideally suited for use in schools and academic institutes as well. Our products are also distributed through dealers in the USA, Europe, Asia,South America and Africa .

We will be happy to consult you with your needs and provide you with laboratory equipment of the highest quality.

Best Regards,

Fried Electric.

M This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

www.friedelectric.com

Jim replied:

Dear Fried Electric

I’m opposed to the ongoing tyranny over Palestinians by successive Zionist Israeli governments. Therefore, I boycott products from Israel or subsidiary companies domiciled elsewhere (e.g. Johnson & Johnson, et al). You have sent me SPAM and I wonder how you obtained my address and why you might assume I’m a distributor of laboratory equipment…

Be that as it may, stop sending more of your marketing material. There is nothing from Israel that I want, except to see the people there join the international campaign to end the oppression of their neighbours and return all land seized by continual invasion spanning more than four decades.

Jim Gladwin, Auckland, New Zealand

On 4 January 2013 “on behalf of mfried” a person calling himself Reuven Bookstein replied to Jim's comments:

Subject: RE: Fried Electric Produce laboratory equipment for a variety of market sectors

Dear Jim

If you learn more about the history and the problem you will change your mind we all want that any person in earth will live safe free have job and enjoy You should learn more before any comment like that. I wish you happy new year to you and your family and we all wish for global piece in the all world.

I invite you to come to Israel and see with your own eyes.

Reuven

Fried Electric This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Cc: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

On 7 January 2013 Jim emailed the following further reply to Reuven Bookstein:

Subject: RE: Your Reply from Fried Electric in Israel

Dear Reuven Bookstein

at Fried Electrical

Your reply is arrogant and presumes ignorance in others. There is a body of facts gleaned from the continuum of history which easily nullifies your flippant response. On the other hand, one might speculate on how much time you have spent in the illegal settlements or alongside Palestinians being bombarded by Israel...

It would be wise to consider international opposition to destabilising expansionist/apartheid-like Israel policies – a global movement that is neither new nor whimsical trend. And that movement is having successes...For example, in New Zealand there exists a very vigorous movement that has exerted pressure consistently over many years. Without the presence of this local movement it would be difficult to imagine the following decision of 12 December 2012 having eventuated.

New Zealand divests from Israeli arms company Elbit Systems and companies of Israeli settlement-builder Lev Leviev. The New Zealand Superannuation Fund, which invests money on behalf of New Zealand’s government, announced on 12 December [2012] that it is divesting from Israeli military company Elbit Systems and Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev’s company, Africa Israel, and its construction subsidiary Danya Cebus over their construction of Israeli settlements. http://www.bdsmovement.net/2012/new-zealand-divests-from-companies-of-israeli-settlement-builder-lev-leviev-10180

It’s obvious that you have views as deeply-seated as mine on this matter. I doubt whether either is going to influence the other, Reuven, and in bidding you farewell, I’m making it clear that the company you represent is not welcome here.

Jim Gladwin, Auckland, New Zealand

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Burst SodaStream’s Bubble with Our New Video Contest!

From: Anna Baltzer and Ramah Kudaimi, US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation – Announcing the SodaStream Super Bowl Spoof Ads Contest!

Do you like making videos? Or maybe you just like watching them? Either way, here’s an exciting new opportunity to show SodaStream that all the money in the world cannot hide its dirty secret: that it is produced in an illegal Israeli settlement in the West Bank through the exploitation of Palestinian land, resources, and labour. Now SodaStream -- which produces gadgets to make home-made soda from tap water -- wants to clean up its reputation by spending millions of dollars for a 30-second ad on Super Bowl Sunday: 3 February 2013.

We do not have millions of dollars, but we do have you!

We are calling on BDS activists to create your own spoof of the SodaStream ad in time for the big day!

Click here for directions, examples, suggestions, inspiration, and details for creating and submitting a SodaStream Spoof Ad!

You can work on a joint video with others. If that’s not an option, just submit a personal message (verbal, visual, musical -- it all works!) from you. Then, people like you can view and "like" your favourite spoofs on the "BoyCott SodaStream" YouTube channel!

The winners will be announced on Super Bowl Sunday, one month from today! The US Campaign will be announcing new videos as they are posted. “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to keep track as the contest progresses.

Some of SodaStream’s slogans and quotes from the CEO include:

• "Join our bubbly revolution.” (How about a revolution for freedom, justice, and equality?)

• CEO: “I am the one who loves the Palestinians. I am taking care of them.” (Where have we heard that logic before?)

• “It’s harmful to people and the environment.” (Using bottles is harmful? Try occupation!)

C’mon, with this material, SodaStream is practically begging for a spoof! SodaStream reported that “the US will be the first market to air the TV commercial” as part of the “Set the Bubbles Free” campaign. So let’s also be the first to say, “How about setting people free?”

Click here for lots more information to get you started on making your own SodaStream Spoof Ad!

Many member groups around the country and others around the world have challenged SodaStream with success. There is incredible momentum to build on, with a recent surge of Boycott SodaStream actions by member groups across the country during the holiday shopping season. There are great videos of singing and carolling in St. Louis, Chicago, San Francisco (where carolers were assaulted), and Los Angeles.

There have been demonstrations in Asheville, NC; Sacramento and Larkspur, CA; and Washington, DC. You can visit the Holiday SodaStream Boycott website for a round-up with photos and resources from the Black Friday SodaStream Day of Action! And who could forget this amazing spoof of the Bed, Bath, and Beyond magazine covers?

Plus, there was even more holiday BDS caroling in Philadelphia (exposing Sabra hummus) and New York (challenging Lev Leviev) for their complicity in Israel’s occupation and apartheid policies. There’s no time to waste! The Super Bowl is in one month. Your countdown starts now! Get your creative juices flowing and submit a video for the SodaStream Super Bowl Spoof Contest!

We can’t wait to see what you come up with, and publicise them to people around the world. Let 2013 be the year we truly burst SodaStream’s bubble!
Thank you for your actions!

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Further news sources

Ali Kazak's newsletter Today in Palestine contains many news summaries that include both armed and non-violent methods of resistance to the Occupation. The newsletter also contains much other useful reporting. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more news see: Today in Palestine!

www.groups.yahoo.com/group/f_shadi

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Behind the Wall

Rich Wiles is a photographic artist who has been living and working in Palestine for some years. His photographic work has been shown around Europe, the US, Australia and in Palestine itself. Since 2006 he has been writing from Occupied Palestine under the title Behind the Wall. Much of this work is based in and around the refugee camps in Palestine, highlighting daily life and memories of refugees who still live in forced exile for over 60 years since Al Nakba (The Catastrophe). www.richwiles.com

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See this In Occupied Palestine Report at: the PHRC website: www.palestine.org.nz

- and you can check out previous editions by clicking on In Occupied Palestine listed under Contents

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Stop the Violence Coalition

Stop the Violence is a coalition aimed at fighting against Israeli violence and crimes all over the world. The purpose of the coalition is to co-ordinate the efforts of groups and individuals working to protest against the historic and continuing oppression of Palestinian people by the Israeli regime. Our coalition is an independent and non-profit organisation, based in Europe, which was formed as part of a global movement against Israeli apartheid. We can also provide the latest news, articles, photos, events and petitions.

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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