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Walking the route of Veolia's Tramline in East Jerusalem

  Veolia, a French multinational, are involved in several projects in occupied Palestine, providing services to Israel’s illegal settlements (see http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=3433, http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=3474 and http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=3514). Veolia has come under intense pressure to pull out of the Citypass Consortium, the group of companies responsible for building the Jerusalem Light Railway. After years of Read more…

By shoalcollective, ago

Wave of repression shows that Israel is beginning to take our movement seriously…

“Whether we are confined in the open-air prison that Gaza has been transformed into, in military prisons in the West Bank, or in our own villages surrounded by the Apartheid Wall, arrests and persecution do not weaken us. They only strengthen our commitment to turning 2010 into a year of liberation.”
Abdullah Abu Rahmah, In a letter written from his prison cell, January 1st 2010
The last year has seen an increase in repression of Palestinian grassroots activists involved in struggles against Israel’s wall and Israeli settlements and who advocate the campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel. In September 2009 Mohamed Othman, an activist with the Stop the Wall (www.stopthewall.org) campaign was arrested on suspicion of ‘dealing with foreign enemies’ and incitement. Mohamed spent four months in jail, two months awaiting trial and two months in administrative detention (without charge). On 24th December Jamal Jumaa, Coordinator of Stop the Wall was arrested. Mohamed and Jamal were released on 12th January 2010 after international pressure. Jamal was never charged while Mohamed’s charges were dropped after two months. In February 2010 the Stop the Wall office in Ramallah was raided by the Israeli army and computer hard drives and documents were taken. (more…)

By shoalcollective, ago

Qalandiya Terminal – Entering the Corporate Nightmare

Qalandiya Terminal, the crossing between East Jerusalem and Ramallah is often the first military checkpoint visitors cross when entering the West Bank. During the second intifada the Israeli state began transforming the old Qalandiya checkpoint into a ‘terminal’, similar to an international border, the process has cost between $32 and $34 million and has delivered hefty profits to the contractors involved. (more…)

By shoalcollective, ago

Israeli West Bank Wall to be re-routed following years of protest

Years of weekly protests against the Israeli separation wall in Bil’in in the West Bank have proved successful following an announcement by the Israeli military that part of the wall will be re-routed. This comes two and a half years after an Israel Supreme Court ruling ordering the Israeli state to return land to Palestinian farmers in the village of Bil’in, over which the state has twice been held in contempt. (more…)

By shoalcollective, ago

No More Isolation after London Gaza demonstration

In January 2009, there was a solidarity demonstration in London regarding the Israeli bombardment of Gaza from 27th December 2008 until 18th January 2009. At the demo, many people were arrested, the majority being young Asians below the age of 19, some as young as 12. The police used indiscriminate baton charges, kettles and heavy surveillance. Their repressive tactics began to take a less visible form in the months following, with numerous dawn raids, denial of communication with solicitors and physical and psychological abuse. Almost all have now been charged with “violent disorder” and so far, 10 people have been jailed for 15 months to 3 years. In this climate of intimidation and isolation, and in spite of flimsy evidence, 50 people have pled guilty and the sentencing began on 12th February at Isleworth Crown Court. (more…)

By shoalcollective, ago

“Wave of divestment” hits Israeli military contractor, Elbit Systems

Israeli companies profiting from the occupation of Palestine are increasingly subject to blacklisting and divestment due to the growing pressure exerted boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement. The movement of Palestinian organisations and solidarity activists pushes for divestment from Israeli companies involved in and profiting from the occupation and in recent months has seen millions of dollars withdrawn from Israeli companies, in particular Israeli military contractor Elbit Systems, a company involved in the construction of the apartheid wall and connected to the manufacture of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) , or drones. (more…)

By shoalcollective, ago